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.
“Without practical skills training, students become incompetent when it comes to actual performance, and this has serious implications in the workplace,” she said.
She added that inadequate hands-on training, particularly in medical-related fields, can lead to avoidable mistakes that compromise patient safety.
Guyo said lack of alignment between theory and practical application weakens students’ understanding and accuracy.
“Without linking theory and practicals, students risk making irreversible mistakes when handling patients,” she said, calling for stricter supervision and clearer demonstration of procedures by lecturers.
Her remarks follow the acquisition of new training equipment by MKU’s Dental Department, including phantom heads, a stretcher, oxygen tanks and an ambulance.
The university said the equipment is expected to strengthen dental and paramedic training and improve students’ readiness for emergency situations.
Dental Technology students Veronica Wambui and Obed Kiprop said the new equipment will address longstanding challenges caused by outdated and insufficient tools.
“The equipment we had before was limited and old-fashioned, which made it difficult to understand class concepts,” Kiprop said.
Wambui said modern equipment is essential for aligning student training with current industry technologies.
“It is important for institutions to have up-to-date equipment so students remain prepared for real-world practice and avoid preventable mistakes,” she said.
The students said the improved facilities will help them graduate with greater confidence and competence as they enter the healthcare sector.
By Kelvin Kathurima and Muoki Charles
