Mount Kenya University (MKU) has been ranked the best in medical/dental training among Kenyan universities, placing it among the most admired institutions of higher learning in the region.
The latest joint inspection report on new and existing medical and dental schools by National Medical and Dental Practitioners Boards and Councils of EAC partner states indicates that MKU School of Medicine optimally meets the minimum requirements for training of medical/dental students as provided for in the East African Community Regional Guidelines for Inspection and Recognition of Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals.
Top of the game
MKU School of Medicine topped the list with an impressive score of 82 points out of a possible 100. The ranking gives MKU, Kenya’s fastest-growing private university owned by Dr Simon Gicharu, a strong regional footing since its graduates will be eligible for reciprocal recognition within EAC partner states.
“The school is compliant with the provisions of the Regional Guidelines for Inspection and Recognition of Medical Schools in EAC Partner States,” the team stated in a report released on 7th March 2020.
The third Joint inspection of Medical and Dental Schools and Teaching Hospitals in Kenya was carried out by a team of technical health experts from EAC partner states’ National Medical and Dental Practitioners Regulatory Councils between 2nd and 6th March 2020. This was in line with a directive of the 19th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Ministers of Health held in Nairobi between 28th October and 1st November 2019.
Rigorous inspection
The inspection was aimed at establishing the conformity of the universities to the standards and guidelines governing medical and dental schools in the East African Community with a view to improving the services and promotion of harmonization of education and training in the region.
The inspection focused on various areas including governance and management, academic programmes, human resource, student affairs, infrastructure, monitoring and evaluation as well as research and innovation. It also sought to ascertain whether the institutions inspected in the second joint inspection had fully complied with the recommendations.
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Second in the ranking was Maseno University, which had 81 points and thus compliant with the regional regulations, followed by Kisii University with 80 points. UoN Dental School scored 68 points, partially complying, while Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology’s School of Medicine scored 66 to comply partially. Moi University School of Medicine, which did not implement the recommendations of the second joint inspections, got 61.
Kenya Methodist University School of Medicine had 59 points, University of Nairobi School of Medicine got 58, while Egerton University Faculty of Health Sciences scored 54, tying with Kenyatta University School of Medicine and Moi University School of Dentistry.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology School of Medicine scored 53, and Uzima University College Medical School came last with 49, many steps away from MKU School of Medicine.
Regional balance
The team of experts composed of CEOs/registrars and chairpersons of education committees of the EAC partner states’ Medical and Dental Councils as well as representatives of the Commission for University Education (CUE) Kenya, Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority (KHPOA) and staff of East African Community Secretariat.
The meeting and inspection exercise was chaired by Dr Nyemazi Alex, a member of the Education Committee, Rwanda Medical and Dental Council, whereas Mr Daniel Yumbya, CEO of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Council, Republic of Kenya, was the Rapporteur.
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