Members of staff have benefited from an advanced training in welding supported by the Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI) and Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries (AFTAAC). The training was hosted by the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment (FEBE) in which 50 young scientists, engineers and technicians were trained in a programme titled, “Advanced Welding Processes - Laser Beam Welding and Underwater Welding.”
Speaking during a closing ceremony held on 2nd June 2023, Assistant Secretary General of the League and Director of the League of Arab Fund Cairo-Egypt, Amb. Mohand Ladjouzi, applauded the members of staff who attended the training. He noted that the training was timely and was in the best interest of the Fund’s activities in African countries. “I am sure that participants benefited a lot, especially in view of the quality and efficiency of the lecturers.”
The programme Trainer Prof. Eng. Abdel-Monem El-Batahgy - CMRDI, Cairo-Egypt, supervised both the theoretical and the practical training during the course. He noted that the programme was focused on advanced welding technologies including laser and laser-hybrid welding as well as underwater welding. Prof. El- Batahgy explained that the main objective of the training was for knowledge and experience transfer as well as strengthening and consolidating African–Arab relations. He added that knowledge and technology transfer contribute in capacity building, which is the backbone for industry and economic development in any country. The Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Shiundu, welcomed the delegation to the university and extended his gratitude to the organisers, participants and representatives of various Embassies.
The VC noted that the training was a lasting inheritance since the trainees will influence the future through their interactions with the students and other people. He added that the training had fulfilled the current job demands in the welding industry. Prof. Shiundu noted that TU-K can do much more, in collaboration with development partners. “To build on this collaboration, TU-K is ready and willing to provide the necessary resources and collaborative mechanism for further training should an opportunity arise.” Prof. Paul Muumbo, one of the trainers, appreciated the training, saying it was timely and appropriate not only for the technical staff but also for those currently teaching and wish to conduct research in the area of materials processing, particularly welding.
He observed that the significance of the training stems from the fact that the Kenyan Government is keenly looking into ways of upgrading the skills of artisans and technicians in manufacturing techniques and processes that will promote employability hence industrial growth. “Through the Institution, we are grateful to the government of the day for having also facilitated this kind of interaction. “He said. The Programme was initiated by Prof. Robert Akello Jalang’o of the School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Prof. Benard Rop from JKUAT. It was coordinated by Dr. Fredrick Mutua, who is the Acting Director, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. The ceremony was attended by Ambassadors and Representatives of the Embassies in Kenya namely: Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Libya, Republic of Iraq, Republic of Oman, Republic of Jordan, Republic of Sudan, Republic of Algeria, and Republic of Somalia.
The Fund was established in 1974 by the Arab Leaders During the Arab Summit at Rabat.
It provides:
- Scholarships for the African students in the Arab universities and institutes,
- Training programs in Arab and African countries,
- Dispatch of experts to organize training programs in African countries for short or long terms.
The programs cover several domains such as health, agriculture, diplomacy, IT, petroleum services, engineering and many other specialties.
