Nairobi: Institutions of higher learning have been urged to increase investment in modern training equipment and prioritise hands-on training to adequately prepare students for the job market and increase professionalism in practice. Mount Kenya University (MKU) Dental Laboratory Technician Safia Guyo said many institutions continue to focus heavily on theoretical teaching while offering limited practical exposure, a gap she warned is producing graduates who struggle to meet industry expectations.
According to Kenya News Agency, Guyo emphasized the need for practical skills training, noting that students become incompetent when it comes to actual performance without it. This lack of practical training has serious implications in the workplace, particularly in medical-related fields where inadequate hands-on training can lead to avoidable mistakes that compromise patient safety. She pointed out that the disparity between theoretical knowledge and practical application weakens students’ understanding and accuracy.
Guyo called for stricter supervision and clearer demonstration of procedures by lecturers to mitigate the risk of students making irreversible mistakes when handling patients. Her remarks followed the acquisition of new training equipment by MKU’s Dental Department, including phantom heads, a stretcher, oxygen tanks, and an ambulance. The university stated that this equipment is expected to enhance dental and paramedic training and improve students’ readiness for emergency situations.
Dental Technology students Veronica Wambui and Obed Kiprop expressed that the new equipment will address longstanding challenges caused by outdated and insufficient tools. Kiprop explained that the previously limited and old-fashioned equipment made it difficult to understand class concepts. Wambui stressed the importance of up-to-date equipment in aligning student training with current industry technologies, ensuring students remain prepared for real-world practice and avoid preventable mistakes.
The students concluded that the improved facilities would help them graduate with greater confidence and competence as they enter the healthcare sector.
