26 | NEWSFOCUS October 16, 2018 www.mygov.go.ke Scientist whose passion is increasing the number of women pursuing sciences Professor Mabel Imbuga is a renowned scientist by profession and an advocate for women in the Sciences. She is the current Vice Chancellor of the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and the third Kenyan woman to head a university.. Her story is excerpted from a forthcoming book, Pioneers &Transformers: The Journeys of Top Achieving Women in Kenya, published by the Kenya Yearbook Editorial Board Pioneers & Transformers Journeys of top achieving women in Kenya BY KYEB P rofessor Mabel Imbuga’s affinity for nature and the sciences started at an early age. Passing her A Levels meant that she could pursue university education. Unlike most of her classmates at Alliance Girls High School who chose to study cooking and needlework, Imbuga opted for mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. “Excelling in these subjects mapped my career path,” she says. It is for this reason that she encourages the youth to embrace what they are passionate about. She credits her success in academia to her parents. “My mother and father wanted to give their children a good education,” says Imbuga who is one of Kenya’s pioneer female scientists. She began her schooling at Bunyore Primary - a girls-only school. After passing her CPE, she went to Alliance Girls High School where she completed her ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels. She then joined the University of Nairobi where she did her bachelors, masters and PhD all in Biochemistry. “I am one of University of Nairobi’s few alumni who has pursued all my three degrees under the same roof,” she says. With such a strong inclination to the sciences, it was only natural that Imbuga pursues a career in academia. She began her journey at her alma mater – University of Nairobi, rising through the ranks from a graduate assistant, to a tutorial fellow then later as a lecturer. After serving as a lecturer, she took a break from academia and ventured into research. “I went on sabbatical leave and later a leave of absence from the University of Nairobi and joined International Centre for Insect Physiology (ICIPE).” She was at ICIPE for five years, during which she undertook her postdoctoral studies and then become a research scientist. She then returned to the University of Nairobi as a senior lecturer. In 1997, Imbuga got the opportunity to become an associate professor at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). “When I came to JKUAT they had just introduced biochemistry studies, so I came to start the department.” She was the chair of the biochemistry department and within two years she was elected dean Faculty of Science. When her first term as dean ended, she went in unopposed for a second term. After serving for two terms as dean, Imbuga was appointed the director of the Institute of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases. The Institute, later renamed to the College of Health Sciences, trains students at the postgraduate level in the area of health sciences. “It was during this time that JKUAT advertised for the position of Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic Affairs (DVC AA),” she says. Imbuga got the job in 2005, a position she held for three years. Imbuga’s journey to the top did not end there. In 2008 the position of vice chancellor of JKUAT became vacant. Never one to shy from opportunity, she applied for the top post successfully. She admits it wasn’t easy getting there. “Have initiative, vision and be prepared,” are the three principles she applied during her pursuit for success in the world of science and aca
27 Publizr Home