I am delighted to welcome you to the Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology (PHPT) website. PHPT is one of the five departments in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi. My appointment is to serve as administrative leader of the department, responsible for day today running of the affairs of the department.
The vision of PHPT vision isto be“A centre of excellence in Veterinary Public Health, Epidemiology, Pharmacology, Toxicology, Natural products and Leather Science and Technology”.Our mission is to pursue and maintain leadership role in quality teaching, research and consultancy in above areas of specialization. Therefore, thecore mandate of the department is teaching and learning, research,innovation, consultancy and Community Service in veterinary public health and epidemiology, pharmacology, toxicology, leather science and technology, natural products and bioprospecting.
Theperformance of the departmentis evaluated based on achievements of targets contained in an annual Performance Contract (PC)that the chairman commits on behalf of the department. Achievement of targets ensures that we efficiently and effectivelydeliverservices to Kenyans, guided by the provisions of the Constitution. As chairman, it is my duty to provide leadership in designing suitable plans and strategies that will contribute to high and sustainable socio-economic development. Iembark on ensuring that the Department has a credible annual work plan that form the basis for continuous performance improvement that meets the needs and expectations of the Kenyan people.
In theCurrent PC, the department guided by six (6) Strategic Objectives namely; To manage the Department efficiently;To grow the Departments’ resource base and enhance productivity;To produce quality and holistic graduates;To contribute to the development of society through creation, storage, application and dissemination of knowledge;To enhance the competitiveness and image of the Department and To enhance value-adding partnerships and collaborations.
Incarrying out my duties, I endeavourto ensure that staff devotes their efforts towards contributing effectively and efficiently to the achievement of the national development agenda as espoused in the Kenya Vision 2030, keeping in mind the specific priorities of the University of Nairobi.Bearing in mind the imperative of inclusivity, I implement the followingStrategic Intentions: Create, preserve, integrate, transmit and utilize knowledge created through research and innovation; Collaborate and link with peer institutions and industry, locally and internationally;Cascade the Performance Contract to the individual members of staff of the department through the staff performance appraisal, andinnovatively reengineer academic programmes.PHPThosts robust Postgraduate programs at both Masters and PhD levels that are intended for Scholars looking to take the next step in their careers, and researchers dedicated to becoming experts in their areas of specialization. These graduate programs focus on graduate students getting the mentoring needed to excel in their fields, promotion of critical thinking and communication skills. Emphasis on practical ensuresthat graduate acquire hands-on expertise.
The COVID pandemics has new challenges in the delivery of services has necessitate the adoption of systems that enable innovativeness and adaptability of public services to the needs of users.
I desire to continue performing my responsibilities diligently during the period that I will serve as the Chairman, Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology. I thank the Vice Chancellor of appointing me to serve as Chairman, my colleagues in the department and all stake holders of their support.
James M. Mbaria (BVM, MSc, PhD)
Professor of Pharmacology & Toxicology
Contacts- email: james.mbaria@uonbi.ac.ke Tel: +254 722639977