ENGINEERING EDUCATION Challenges and Opportunities at Kenyatta University A Paper Presented At The 20 th IEK International Conference Held at The Tom Mboya Labour College, Kisumu by Eng. Martin M. Nzomo, FIEK.

Ag. Dean and Senior Lecturer of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology.

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  The Kenyatta University School of Engineering and Technology (KUSET) is housed in the New Engineering Building Complex in Nyayo Zone area. It has a student population of 2500 (most are ICT students), 49 teaching and 47 non teaching staff.

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Vision of KUSET The Vision of the School of Engineering and Technology at Kenyatta University is to be “a dynamic, innovative, inclusive and competitive engineering school in teaching, learning, research and community service." Mission of KUSET The Mission of the School of Engineering and Technology at Kenyatta University is “to provide quality teaching and training of engineers, to promote scholarship, service, innovation, creativity and impart sound moral virtues for responsible individuals and community development.” Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 4

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The School of Engineering and Technology is guided by the following core values.

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Integrity Hardwork Discipline Perserverance Tolerance

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 KUSET is a fairly young School established during the year 2007.  It was created through the restructuring of departments which were under School of Pure and Applied Science.

 These were: ◦ The then Department of Engineering and Technology, and ◦ Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

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 ◦ ◦ Kenyatta University’s School of Engineering and Technology houses five (5) teaching departments namely : ◦ ◦ ◦ Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Civil Engineering. Energy Engineering. Computing and Information Technology (CIT). Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 7

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Engineering programs offered include:

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Bachelor of Science degrees in:-

◦       Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Civil Engineering, Energy Engineering, Computer science, and Information Technology.

Post graduate degrees in Renewable Energy

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Post graduate degrees in water engineering and manufacturing engineering are under way.

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 ◦ ◦ ◦ The School hosted two (2) Stakeholders’ curriculum development Workshops to discuss the following revised/new curricula:   December 2011: Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

Civil Engineering.

  Mechanical Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering.

 Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering. January 2013: Biomedical Engineering.

   Petroleum Engineering. Next forum scheduled for May/June 2013 to consider : Chemical Engineering (new programme).

Energy Engineering (revised programme).

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  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Inadequate physical infrastructure and equipment, namely: ◦ Labs Workshops Inadequate staffing levels The recent upgrade of various colleges to universities has led to scarcity of engineering teaching staff. There are few qualified people with MSc & PhD engineering qualifications.

Lack of adequate local staff qualified in new areas e.g. Petroleum Engineering, Biomedical Engineering & Energy Engineering.

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   Plans are underway to increase and equip the School with additional physical infrastructure.

This includes the next phase of lecture halls, and staff offices, well equipped workshops, Seminar Rooms and Board Rooms.

To further improve the quality of programmes, KU is actively involved in national and international collaborative programs. Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 19

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   KU has a policy on collaboration whose goal is to forge close and strong collaborative links with industry.

The School has been at the forefront in seeking and establishing a mutually dependable stakeholder base with key industry players. Opportunities for KU ◦ Attachment for staff and students to gain skills and experience in industries and institutions.

◦ identifying experts from industries and institutions to talk to Students on career choices.

◦ ◦ Staff and student exchange programme in various engineering disciplines. Conducting joint research.

◦ Capacity building and exposure of both staff and students. Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 21

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Opportunities for Industries:-

 Labour from students on attachment.

 Adjunct positions- Experts from industry come to the KU for a certain duration (e.g. 2 weeks – 1 month) to undertake teaching or research.

   Industry driven research Capacity building for industries (highly trained staff to Masters and PhD) through local and visiting faculty. Industries to sponsor research programmes.

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◦       Current collaborations exist with: Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO), Kengen, Power Technics Limited, Centurion Systems Limited, Optiware Communications Limited.

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 ◦ ◦ ◦ Current collaborative arrangements are with: ◦ University of Johannesburg. University of Cape Town.

◦ Tshwane University of Technology. University of Petroleum and Energy Studies- India.

China University of Petroleum - Beijing  Future collaborative arrangements are being pursued with universities in Europe, United States of America, India, China, and South East Asian Countries, among others.

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    KU’s Vision and Mission is focused on offering quality teaching supported by research.

The stated policy of the School of Engineering and Technology is to facilitate the capacity development of its faculty members. The School is implementing a programme to secure scholarships for all its lecturers to obtain doctoral and post-doctoral level qualification in their areas of specialization. The goal is to eventually attain and maintain the global optimum standard mix at all levels. Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 25

    Engineering is a profession whose practice regulated by law. KUSET, underscores that sound engineering education requires the cooperation and collaboration of all actors.

This includes EBK (the regulating authority), the university concerned as well as the teaching professionals involved in the process.

The KU School of Engineering and Technology, with the support of KU Management, is committed to ensuring that it plays its part well in the education of the engineer. Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 26

  All challenges along the way are taken as opportunities for learning.

Ultimately, the Kenyatta University Engineering graduate will be an individual who: ◦ would be useful to industry immediately, both in the country and abroad, or ◦ an entrepreneur creating own job and for others.

I THANK YOU Kenyatta University ISO 9001:2008 Certified 27