UoN launches first-ever audiology and speech-language pathology degree in East and Central Africa
The University of Nairobi officially launched the Bachelor of Science in Audiology, Speech and Language Pathology (BSc ASLP), a groundbreaking program under the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Surgery.
The launch, held on Tuesday, 23rd September 2025 marks a historic milestone as the first undergraduate degree of its kind in East and Central Africa.
Globally, the World Health Organization (2018) estimates that 466 million people live with disabling hearing loss, with two-thirds residing in developing countries. In Kenya, the shortage of professionals is particularly severe, with only one audiologist serving approximately 6.4 million people and one speech and language therapist for every 2.8 million people.
This new program is designed to fill the critical human resource gap by producing specialists who will transform hearing healthcare and speech therapy in Kenya and across the continent. With a curriculum benchmarked to global standards, graduates of the program will be internationally competitive and prepared to practice anywhere in the world.
Speaking at the launch, Prof. Daniel Ojuka, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasized the uniqueness of the course.
“This is the only program of its kind in East and Central Africa. With our large faculty, we have the space, expertise, and resources to make students into the professionals they aspire to be,” Prof. Ojuka said.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Jesang Hutchinson, Prof. John Mande, Deputy Vice Chancellor Human Resource, underlined the broader significance of the program.
“Our graduates will not only be employable, but will also emerge as transformative leaders shaping the future of healthcare across Kenya and beyond. This degree serves more than our university or our country, it positions the University of Nairobi as a regional hub for talent.
“With support from Austria, India, Poland, and our African neighbors, we embrace the immense value of academic partnerships and the sharing of knowledge across borders. To our pioneer class, you are paving the way in a new profession and setting the standards and culture of practice for generations to come,” Prof. Hutchinson said.
International partners also lauded the initiative. H.E. Dr. Christian Fellner, Ambassador of Austria, congratulated both the University and the Government of Kenya, noting the longstanding collaboration between the two nations in science and research. He highlighted Austria’s many scholarships available to Kenyans and announced plans for an audiology laboratory to strengthen training:
“This is more than a degree. It is a bridge between cultures, nations, and people,” he said.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Dr. Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary, State Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Health, Dr. Saleh Bardad emphasized the health impact of the program.
“This is a momentous occasion, marking not just the start of a new academic offering but a vital step toward addressing critical gaps in communication health, hearing care, and speech-language services in Kenya and the region. Having locally trained specialists will reduce dependency on external training, bring context-appropriate practices, and improve accessibility and affordability. This degree is more than an academic milestone, it is a critical investment in health, education, inclusion, and human rights,” he said.
Similarly, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, Principal Secretary, State Department of Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education, in remarks delivered on her behalf, noted.
“Launching a new academic program is an exciting milestone that brings fresh opportunities for students and helps our institutions respond to industry demand and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving higher education landscape. We expect the University of Nairobi to pioneer and lead regional and global research collaborations in hearing and communication sciences, integrating evidence-based practice, clinical research, and innovation,” she said.
The program is supported by the Hearing Healthcare Alliance (HHA), a partnership between the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and MED-EL Corporation, which will provide international faculty support for the next four years.
As the only degree of its kind in East and Central Africa, the BSc ASLP is expected to attract both local and international students, particularly from across Africa where training opportunities remain limited outside South Africa.
