In partnership with Egerton University, African Development Bank (AfDB) has been training lecturers from public universities over the last few years in a move to address the shortfall of engineering lecturers in Kenya.
The Dean, Faculty of Engineering Professor Japheth Onyando, said that AfDB is funding the training programme at the cost of Ksh. thirty-nine million, and 22 lecturers (8 in PhDs & 14 in Masters) are participating.
According to Prof. Onyando, the training at Egerton University focuses on agricultural engineering and has attracted lecturers from other public universities in the country, such as the University of Kabianga and the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology.
"As a leading university in the country, Egerton University had established memoranda of understanding with other universities abroad. This was a requirement by AfDB to demonstrate that we had knowledge partners needed to qualify for the training grant," said Prof. Onyando.
In addition to that, the University already has the infrastructure established for training in agricultural engineering.
In collaboration with the knowledge partners such as the University of Twente (The Netherlands), Egerton University is training lecturers in mechanisation, soil and water engineering, and agro-processing.
"Not only will our capacity be enhanced by the programme, but also our students will also benefit since they will be interacting with lecturers who will equip them with the skills needed to solve our country's challenges in farm operations, food production, storage and irrigation," added the Dean.
On behalf of the University Management Board, staff and students, the Vice-Chancellor congratulates the Dean of Faculty of Engineering, Professor Japheth Onyando, for winning the grant to train lecturers in agricultural engineering.
