Revitalizing Alumni Chapters

Abstract

Over the past one year, since the publication of the last newsletter, the University of Nairobi Alumni Association(UONAA) has made major achievements in its efforts to meet its obligations to the alumni, the student community and the alma mater. In March 2018, the Association welcomed its 16th ‘baby’, the school of Dental Sciences Chapter, in a launch held with pomp and fanfare at the Sarova Pan-Afric Hotel. We capture the reunion, which brought together the alumni of the school, sister universities, guests and partners of the Association. The School of Dental Sciences, has a long history in producing dentists for Kenya, and the region. To date it has graduated over one thousand dentists, contributing to training approximately 70 per cent of Kenya’s dentist population. Prof. Thairu was Dean, Faculty of medicine where the department of dental surgery was incepted in 1974. In this issue, we capture the life and times of Prof Kihumbu Thairu, one of Kenya’s most outstanding scholars, and his illustrious career in medicine spanning several decades, and his diverse achievements in service to humanity. The edition also laud the pace set by our alumni at the School of Medicine, who are in the forefront in giving back to society. In June, a team of surgeons, under Prof Stanley Khainga, successfully restored mobility to hand and leg amputees. The foot re-implantation was the first such surgery in Kenya. We have also captured the dreams and aspirations of one of our young alumni, Dr Joyce Omuok, a final year Masters of Dental Surgery student specialising in Pediatric Dentistry. In other areas the University of Nairobi made history by launching into orbit Kenya’s first satellite in May 2018. We capture the event for you. From the international arena the University of Nairobi Alumni Association (UONAA) hosted a delegation from Huaqiao University, Quanzhou /Xiamen China, in an initiative spearheaded by the Vice-Chancellor’s office together with UONAA. The edition also highlights various bench marking visits by local universitys alumni associations and our contributions to UoN Sports Day, Nairobi Innovation Week and Prize Giving Day, among other activities.