DESCRIPTION OF THE UNION
The union of Biochemistry re-branded itself under new leadership of the executive committee and subcommittee and became Jomo Kenyatta University Biochemical Society (JKUBS). The student association
comprises of students whose courses are offered under the department of Biochemistry.
The objectives of JKUBS are:

To demystify biochemistry through learning and trainings

To establish relevant network channels through socializing, linking with department, alumni and
the corporate world.

To gear social responsibility to nation building through protecting and reaching out to the needy
in the society

To conduct high school mentorship reach-outs
It is vision “To be the most efficient Biochemical society in Africa”. A wide scope to target but in
essence no goal is too high to achieve and in actual sense it’s the society’s mandate to ensure its
footsteps are felt in Africa.
This vision is in its actualization process as it follows its mission to enhance development of an all
rounded competitive scientist through offering relevant trainings, establishing relevant networks and
promoting health sciences.
The society has organized various trainings in last semester for the students that dealt with Personal
Branding and Placement of Biochemists in Kenya. The training was a success as various speakers
participated in the event and it led to a more motivated lot of biochemists.
UPCOMING 2013 EVENTS
There are various upcoming events that have been organized by the Society as ;
 High school reach –out to a local school in Juja – this aims at achieving the Society’s objective as
a way of publicizing the study of sciences related courses and offer advice on various aspects in
life ranging from academics to life skills.
 There is a T-shirt project that aims to print out t-shirts for the Society
 A departmental fun-day that is to encompass team building activities where the students can
interact from all levels that is first year across board to fourth years and also interact with the
teaching and technical staff outside the classrooms that are otherwise to tight and tension-like .
 Student’s trainings to facilitate the need to understand our changing economy and how to fit
into society more as job creators than job seekers.
 The end of year dinner. This set out to be one of a kind event with the support of the
department and ending the year and fad and style.
NEW ITEMS
Biochemistry students represent JKUAT at the 2nd Inter- University Debate Championships held on 7th 8th June 2013 at Strathmore University. The event had the theme of “Fostering youth participation in
public affairs.”According to Japheth Ogamba, a second year taking Biochemistry and Molecular biology
He said “Strathmore first of all stood to its reputation with well maintained and state of the art
infrastructure. He enjoyed the exposure as the JKUAT did exceptionally well as they were interacting
with seasoned debaters taking to account that they were just new in this field quite different from the
norm of science. According to Nicholas KIvungi, a third year taking Biochemistry and molecular Biology
“ He explained that he had a phenomenal time in the debating scene but also registered his concerns as
the university lacks a debating society while it has more than competent debaters at the national and
international level. He didn’t fail to recognize the fact that being first time debaters that JKUAT had the
most teams at the quarter finals and even managed to scoop a position at the semi-finals. The JKUAT
teams are looking forward to the next event with more zeal and passion.”
Leadership training for the leaders of the union that is the executive and the sub-committee in with a
key speaker was out-sourced, Dr. Tim. He discussed on various aspects of leadership such as
transformational leadership, team work cycle and various segments of team work such as the barriers of
a successful team how to validate and gauge success as a team and how to keep all team members
motivated to the cause. This was helpful as the union is taking a better step and direction as reflected in
the activities it’s indulging and the projects it deems to cover by the end of this academic year.
JKUBS was representing in South Africa last year in December 2012 at the fifth Pan African University
Debate Championships (PAUDC). Where a second year student, taking Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology ; Marjory Githure participated with her partner from Nairobi University. It was there first time
for Kenya to be represented in the championships and according to her it was a fulfilling experience as it
encompassed exchanging ideas with smart brains , listening and reasoning soberly and the nobility that
one acquires from accepting their mistakes. As the topics discussed ranged from all fields of study and
proved to be an exciting challenge while debating with the best of the best from various universities in
Africa. The culture was diverse and shocking to some extent especially with homosexuality been
legalized in the country. It was amazing to see the homosexual strut around with no reservation of
stigma.