UoN Revises Fee Structure for Medicine Programs
The University of Nairobi (UoN) has made changes to the fee structure of its Master of Medicine (MMed) programs after prolonged discussions with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
Initially, the institution proposed a fee hike in 2021, but the KMPDU took legal action against it, arguing that the increase was too drastic and lacked stakeholder engagement and public participation.
The union believed that this fee hike would hinder access to quality education for many young Kenyan doctors and negatively impact program continuity and completion rates.
However, a new agreement between UoN and KMPDU has been reached, as reported by Citizen Digital.
The revised fee structure will involve a progressive increment in a stepwise manner.
According to the agreement, students who enrolled in UoN in the academic years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 will experience a 14.4% increase in fees, from Ksh.216,000 to Ksh.247,000.
This fee will be applicable to all programs and all years of study.
For students joining UoN in the academic year 2023/2024, the fees for the first year will be increased by 60% of the base amount, from Ksh.216,000 to Ksh.345,000.
However, in the second part of the program, the fees will decrease by 13% from Ksh.345,000 to Ksh.300,000.
Consequently, the total cost of three-year programs will be Ksh.945,000, progressively increasing to Ksh.1,890,000 for six-year programs.
Additionally, UoN and the doctors’ union agreed that selected senior students would be engaged as part-time lecturers and faculty staff in the Clinical Department on a rotational basis.
These students will be compensated at a rate of Ksh.4,000 per hour. Moreover, curriculum revision will be conducted to allow for academic recess starting from the academic year 2023/2024.
Each student, on a rotational basis, will be granted a two-month academic recess in the form of elective terms every year.
These elective terms may be pursued in private hospitals, earning students credit.
The terms will be supervised by qualified consultants, and a logbook of activities will be maintained for evaluation purposes.
Looking ahead, starting from the academic year 2024/2025, UoN will involve all relevant stakeholders, including KMPDU, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), and the ministries of Health and Education, in the fee review process.
The revised fees will apply to new students only, while continuing students will continue paying the fees they were admitted with.
UoN Revises Fee Structure for Medicine Programs
