By Musa Kurian
The Egerton University Faculty of Engineering and Technology joined engineers and stakeholders in commemorating World Engineering Day.
This year's event was aligned with Sustainable Development through a series of activities under the theme, “Smart Engineering for a Sustainable Future through Innovation and Digitalization.”
The faculty participated in celebrations organized by the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) South Rift Branch. The event brought together key partners including Rift Valley National Polytechnic, Nakuru County Government, ICT Authority, Geothermal Development Company and other stakeholders from the engineering sector.Activities began with a colorful procession through Nakuru City aimed at raising awareness on the importance of engineering in driving sustainable development and technological advancement. Participants later converged and conducted a tree-planting exercise, symbolizing the profession’s commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable solutions.
The celebrations culminated in a mentorship session with students. The session provided a platform for young learners to interact with professionals in the engineering field and gain insights into emerging technological trends shaping the industry.The mentorship programme was graced by Eng. Prof. Japheth Onyando, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Egerton University, who served as the Chief Guest.Addressing the students, Prof. Onyando encouraged them to continuously pursue knowledge and intellectual growth in their academic journeys. He urged them to embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, while using them responsibly.
He cautioned that excessive dependence on digital tools could limit critical thinking and discourage independent learning, emphasizing the importance of understanding concepts beyond automated solutions.Prof. Onyando also reminded students that society requires a diverse range of professionals working together to achieve meaningful progress.He emphasized that engineers, technicians and technologists each play vital and complementary roles in national development. He therefore encouraged students to remain committed to their chosen fields, take pride in their disciplines and strive for excellence.
“Egerton University is committed to offering accredited engineering programmes that are globally competitive. Our goal is to train engineers who can provide practical solutions to modern challenges while upholding the highest professional standards,” said Prof. Onyando.World Engineering Day celebrates the contribution of engineers to sustainable development and innovation worldwide while encouraging young people to pursue careers in the field.“True impact comes from mastering one’s area of expertise and consistently working to be the best within it,” Prof. Onyando said.
