Two engineering students from CESI Graduate School of Engineering in France have been at the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) for five weeks for their abroad-industrial and research training and experience which is part of the areas of collaboration between the two institutions. In reciprocity, two students from TU-K are set to travel to France for similar experience. They include; Festus Cheruiyot, pursuing a Master of Technology in Mechanical Engineering who will be hosted for four months for internship at CESI’s Saint Nazaire Campus while Monicah Wanjiru will be undertaking her Master’s Project for six months at CESI School of Engineering.
Other areas of collaboration the two institutions include development and implementation of joint or dual degrees, staff exchange for research and teaching, information sharing like library materials and publications as well as joint research activities, publications, conferences and workshops.
The two students from France, Ben Boyer and Thomas De Rohozinsk, jointly developed a robotics model with their TU-K counterparts. Boyer and De Rohozinsk helped in designing the model parts while their TU-K counterparts; Granton Mburu and John Njenga developed software interface. Mburu and Njenga are both finalist Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering students while Boyer and De Rohozinsk are undertaking a work-study General Engineering Programme at CESI in Lyon City.
At TU-K, the duo worked with their counterparts to develop an IOT-Based Security Surveillance Robot. This is multi-purpose model with an in-built Artificial Intelligence, camera and with 3-D printed parts.
“On its completion, this robot can be used in agricultural fields for establishing environmental parameters, crop health and any necessary information that can be customised for farmer’s preferences,” Mburu said. Adding that the model can also be used in surveillance at data centers to detect voltage, temperature among other information, especially in conditions that are not friendly to human beings.
During the formal presentation of the surveillance robot model, the DVC - Institutional Advancement and Enterprise Prof. Paul Wambua, commended the joint effort between visiting students and their TU-K counterparts for successfully completing the assignment. Prof. Wambua also challenged the students to incorporate solar panel charging system to harness plenty of solar energy since the robot would be used in open farm fields.
He noted that the two institutions would consider longer internship periods, to up to six months especially when involving such interesting projects that need longer periods.
Prof. Alex Muumbo praised the students for their diligence in undertaking research and developing the robotics prototype. Dr. Fredrick Mutua, Ag. Director, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering also attended the ceremony.
“At CESI, students undertake a general engineering coursework and our learning is scheduled for continuously attend one-month theory and one-month field work locally or abroad to gain experience in either an industry or at a university,” Boyer said.
Mr. Boyer works at Airbus, an aircraft manufacturing company in France where he is charged with project management responsibility in cabin modification, while his colleague works at Guimbal Helicopter as metal designer.
Early this year, Prof. Wambua attended CESI International Week where he firmed up the collaboration between TU-K and CESI. He also delivered lectures at CESI’s Rouen and Nancy campuses.
