Three students from the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME) have won scholarships to study in China after emerging top in the just concluded Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) Season 8 that attracted competitors from 9 countries. Samuel Irungu, David Mwangi and Victor Ngumbau Mue won the top challenge award, the ‘Study in China Scholarship.’ “This award is always given to top three offline winners and top three online winners,” stated a report prepared by Ag. Director, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME), Dr. Fredrick Mutua. Three other students from various universities and colleges in the continent also won the scholarship award. Several other students from TU-K won more than 10 awards in individual and team categories in the ATC challenge sponsored by AVIC International Holding Corporation.

The competition was offered two majors - CNC Lathe Machining and Computer Aided Design (CAD) Software Application.  CNC Lathe Machining competition was held offline in Kenya at TU-K from 24^th July 2023.

During the same time, the Mechanical Drawing and CAD Software Application competition was held online through the AVIC Vocational Education Online Platform where participants were trained within their respective countries.  This year’s competition registered 83 teams of 332 participants (65 online & 18 offline) from nine countries including Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. 

TU-K teams that participated in the event and won several awards included:

1. 1^st place in group award for Mechanical Drawing and CAD Software Application (students David Mwangi, Mercy Wanjiru, Samuel Irungu, and Team Leader Arthur Owuor).
2. 1^st place in group award for CNC Lathe Machining (students Victor Ngumbau Mue, Kennedy Karingithi Mathenge, Boniface Nyutu Gitau and Team Leader Thomas Joseph Embuga).
3. Excellence award in Mechanical Drawing and CAD Software Application, won by Samuel Irungu.
4. 1^st place individual award in CNC Lathe Machining, won by Victor Ngumbau Mue.
5. 2^nd place individual award for Mechanical Drawing and CAD Software Application, won by Samuel Irungu.
6. 3^rd place individual award for Mechanical Drawing and CAD Software Application, won by David Mwangi.
7. 4^th place individual award for Mechanical Drawing and CAD Software Application award, won by Mercy Wanjiru.
8. 5^th place individual award in CNC Lathe Machining, won by Kennedy Karingithi Mathenge.
9. ‘Karibu Kenya’award, presented to Technical University of Kenya as the host institution.

Kenya’s Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, who represented the President William Ruto during the award ceremony in Nairobi affirmed Kenya’s commitment in upholding good bilateral relations with her partners. 

The Deputy President lauded AVIC International for the ATC program acknowledging that it plays a key role in enhancing technical skills for technical students in Kenya. He noted that the skills will immensely help to reduce unemployment and poverty index levels in the country through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Hon. Gachagua further urged the youth to take advantage of the youth-driven ICT potential to leverage innovations in artificial intelligence, robotics and other technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness.

Other guests who graced the awards ceremony included Minister Counsellor, People’s Republic of China, Permanent Secretary of TVET, Kenya, Minister of Education, Uganda, Deputy Secretary General of China Education Association for International Exchange and Vice President of AVIC International Holdings Corporation.

Event Photos