School of Pharmacy Alumni held a successful Reunion
It was moments of joy as many pharmacists showed up for the inaugural school of Pharmacy alumni dinner on Friday 13th December, 2024 at Boulevard Hotel. They shared in laughter, Joy and shared memories from their years as students.
The huge group was comprised of Alumni from all years including those who joined the TIT in 2004 as well as the recent graduates of 2024. Alumni members working for pharmaceutical companies, county governments, private practice, educational institutions and research companies were all present.
Mrs. Virginiah Musawa MKU Director of Alumni welcomed the participants. In her remarks, the director, emphasized the numerous benefits that the opportunity extended to the alumni present. She mentioned the 3 pillars of MKU Alumni association which are ENGAGE, EMPOWER, EVOLVE and encouraged each alumnus to get at least five new contacts from the pharmacists’ present.
Testimonials
“I am doing great in private practice and I was able to open several pharmacies in Kisumu County called ‘Ramogi Chemist’ all courtesy of the education I received from MKU.”
“MKU opened opportunities to further my education, after doing my first degree in education and realizing that my full potential was not being realized as a high school teacher, I was excited when I got an opportunity to do a diploma in Pharmacy a course that would help me run my own pharmacies as an entrepreneur. I am so grateful to have been given that opportunity by MKU. “
Several other alumni present thanked the University for the opportunity to study with a group of 3 gentlemen in the graduating class of 2010 talked of how they recently started a joint pharmaceutical company called JFD-Pharma coined from their names James, Frank and Dan. Congratulations to our very own!!
The Dean school of Pharmacy, Dr. Michael Mungoma accompanied by other lecturers from the School of Pharmacy Dr. Kisengi and Dr. Opwoko received a lot of praises for the great job they did to the alumni while they were still students.
The alumni appreciate the mode in which learning was facilitated and they specifically thanked the school for offering Pharmacy Management unit which is extremely crucial for pharmacists.
The Dean requested alumni to support the students in the department by being guest lecturers and keeping engaged with the University. Furthermore, all members present agreed that supporting current learners is great to ensure the University keeps delivering great results in terms of fully baked graduates.
The Keynote speaker, Mr. Paul Mwaura was excited to share His story which was a huge encouragement to the alumni present. Mr. Mwaura who is the CEO and Founder of Win-Pharma graduated from MKU with a degree in Pharmacy in 2011.
His company has more than 60 products in the market currently with most of them being used by top hospitals in the country including Aga Khan, Mp Shah and Nairobi hospitals. He is currently having his products being used in many East African Countries including Tanzania, Uganda and Sudan.
It was moments of great joy knowing that Win-Pharma has 46 employees among whom are 6 MKU alumni. This clearly spoke to the spirit of brotherhood and the unlocking infinite possibilities.
Mr. Mwaura encouraged alumni to aim high, embrace diversity and keep pushing the barriers without fear. He welcomed many to consider starting their own Pharmaceutical companies citing the paucity of them in Kenya.
He said there are more gaps in the manufacturing industry and said that his vision is to own a manufacturing plant for drugs in the near future. He was happy to welcome the JFD-Pharma brothers into the space and lauded everyone for their efforts.
The Vice-Chancellor was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Research Affairs, Dr. Mercyline Kamande. She appreciated the alumni for coming for the dinner and encouraged them to keep up the spirit.
“Alumni pride is only recognized if alumni keep getting together, working together and lifting each other.” Dr. Kamande Said
She encouraged them to keep speaking well of the University as well as welcomed them to work closely with the University.
Mr. Gikera Kahara chairperson of the alumni association, extended gratitude to the University management, faculty and staff presents for supporting alumni. He thanked the pharmacy alumni for coming for the dinner and encouraged them to keep engaging.
The Chairperson, pointed out that the alumni association is registered under the registrar of societies and mentioned that the alumni constitution provides a structured mechanism for engaging alumni through the various chapters that will be established.
He encouraged alumni to help the association leadership in multiplying the message of alumni engagement in the near future citing the need to have everyone on board.
