Worthy embrace. Outgoing Dean, Prof. Kariuki (right) congratulates Dr. Kangethe shortly after the results were declared
The School of Biomedical Sciences has a new Dean. Dr. Joseph Kangethe Nganga was Wednesday January 13, 2015 elected for a two year term. The elections which attracted three contenders will see Kangethe steer the school as the first dean to be elected since the school was established in 2013. He takes over from Prof. Daniel Kariuki who came second in the elections.
Speaking immediately the results were declared, Kangethe thanked his colleagues for bestowing on him the honour to serve them. He noted that the task ahead could only be achieved with teamwork and urged all staff within the school to share their ideas on how to take the school to the next level.
Dr. Kangethe has identified a number of priority areas which he intends to embark on upon assuming office. Key among them include: development of the school’s Strategic Plan; formation of research team for joint grant applications; actualization of international linkages; expansion of academic programmes portfolio and betterment of the work environment.
Dr. Kangethe holds a doctorate in Biochemistry from JKUAT and MSc. Biochemistry from the University of Nairobi. He also earned a post doctorate degree from University of California, USA.
While passing his congratulatory and goodwill message to the incoming Dean, Prof. Kariuki noted that a lot had been achieved during the last two years he was at the helm of the school.
Presiding Officer, Dr. Esther Mworia congratulates Dr. Kangethe on winning the polls
While acknowledging that starting the school from scratch had not been an easy ride, Prof. Kariuki said the school had managed to increase enrolment from 500 in 2013 to over 1000 at the turn of 2016. Academic programmes have also increased to 30 from 20 in the two years.
Under Prof. Kariuki, researchers from the school attracted funding worth Ksh. 10 million to undertake studies in biomedical sciences. The school’s collaboration with KEMRI was equally fostered with the two jointly mounting programmes like MSC. Microbiology and MSc. Virology.
Registrar Academic Affairs, Dr. Esther Mworia who presided over the elections commended the contestants and the voters for exercising maturity during the exercise. In her goodwill message to the incoming Dean, Dr. Mworia urged Kangethe to embrace team spirit and take the school to the next academic and research level.