KMTC holds quarterly academic board meeting, reports excellent performance in student admission and enhanced training
In 2018/19 academic year, the Kenya Medical Training College achieved more than 100% target in its student admissions and enhanced its structures by developing policies to govern and improve quality of training as well as enhance competencies.
This was reported when Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Prof. Michael Kiptoo officially opened the Academic Board meeting at the College’s Nursing Hall, Nairobi, on 12th June, 2019. The Academic Board meeting is a quarterly event, that brings together the College’s Executive Management, Management, Campus Principals and Heads of Department to discuss academic affairs of the College. The Academic Board Meeting was held from 12th -14th June, 2019.
The notable increase in student enrollment at KMTC comes in a wake of declining admissions forcing learning institutions to grapple with significant reductions. KMTC recorded a total of 12,942 students in this year’s admission.
The CEO reported that the Board of Directors whose membership is drawn from various professional backgrounds, has contribute immensely to the growth and excellent performance of the College this far. He acknowledged that it is through the Boards’ wise counsel, expertise, consistent support and overall leadership of the Board Chairman Prof. Philip Kaloki, that the College has recorded exemplary performance in enrollment, academically, financially and administratively. The Board of Directors provide overall leadership and direction of the College as well as oversight on all management functions to enable the KMTC follow through its overall Vision of being “a model institution in the training and development of competent health professionals”.
Prof. Kiptoo confirmed that the Board led by Prof. Kaloki is committed in supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s agenda of “Universal Health Coverage” (UHC) for all Kenyans by 2022, and has set KMTC on a path to ensure contribution to better health care through training of competent health professionals. Towards realization of Sustainable Development Goals and the country’s Vision 2030, the CEO reported that the Board embarked on expanding access to training opportunities in the health sector, so as to bridge the gap of inadequate numbers of skilled health care providers.
“We as management are committed and will continue to offer the much needed support to implement the strategic focus set by the Board of Directors of “Leadership in the training of competent health professionals for sustainable development”, said Prof. Kiptoo. He added that “the College has put in place strategies to steer a solid foundation for the training of Certificates, Diplomas and Higher Diplomas in different programmes”.
Addressing the Principals, Prof. Kiptoo tasked them to ensure students are adequately taught to acquire relevant competencies. The principals were also asked to certify that the set contact hours are achieved to uphold the standards KMTC is known for. He said that the Board of Directors will continue supporting all Campuses, to enable them offer academic programmes that address needs of the local communities that KMTC operates in.
Deputy Director (Academics) Mrs. Nancy Michire emphasized the need to introduce new courses to support UHC. Corporation Secretary Dr. Miriam Muthoka affirmed that the approved Policies will go a long way in improving/upholding the quality of training and services offered to students as well as stakeholders respectively. On the other hand, the Ag. Deputy Director (Finance and Administration) Dr. Kelly Oluoch said the College had come up with innovative ways to improve service delivery and develop capacity.
Heads of academic and support departments also made presentations on emerging issues and the plans put in place to support learning and teaching going forward. Various campuses also made proposals on new courses they intend to introduce. In addition, a report on the number of applicants received, status of ongoing applications, issuance of admission letters and preparations for receiving students in September, 2019 was presented.
