Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has opened a campus in Budalang'i.
Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba said the opening of the campus will change the image of the constituency following the establishment of the first disaster management training centre in the great lakes region.
"The opening is set to boost the economic dynamics of the region that has for decades (been) perceived as flood prone," Mr Namwamba said.
MMUST and the Budalang'i Constituency Development Fund signed a memorandum of understanding that will see the latter oversee infrastructure development at the campus.
MMUST Vice Chancellor Fredric Otieno said: "Disaster management is a field that will be taught at this campus. It will therefore attract students from the East African region and beyond as the only institution that offers that kind of study in Kenya."
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Namwamba disclosed that discussions were underway to have the University of Nagasaki partner with the MMUST Budalang'i campus to ensure the latter offers relevant training in marine sciences, disaster management and fisheries technology.
"We have already engaged the Japanese government and talks are at high level, soon the high commissioner will visit the constituency," said Namwamba.
Butula MP Michael Onyura said the institution would change the academic face of the county. He urged both the national and county governments to help fasten the institution's growth rate. Special Programmes Secretary Salim Ali challenged residents of Bunyala to forget about their historical suffering and take advantage of the university to benefit themselves economically.
"We have invested a lot of money in this institution and so the locals must take advantage and grow economically, Budalang'i must not be the same again," Mr Salim said.
