The Technical University of Kenya is playing a key role in a Sh.41 Million Geodesy project, a fundamental field in physical sciences, engineering and mapping technology set to be implemented in Africa.
The project is funded by the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) bringing in collaborating universities and research institutions in South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with TU-K as the lead institution. The project lead at Manchester University Dr. Jack Radcliffe recently visited TU-K where he met with the implementing partners in preparation for the launch of the project. He also paid a courtesy call on the Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Technology Development, Prof. Isaac Orina, to brief him on the project.
The two-year project which is set to take off in May this year is part of the building blocks for geodetic excellence in the continent and is projected to empower Africa to develop geodetic capabilities that align with international standards while addressing local challenges.
At TU-K, the project is spearheaded by Prof. Paul Baki of the Department of Physics, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Prof. Hussein Farah of the Department of Surveying and Spatial Sciences. According to Prof. Baki, geodesy is an integral science of accuracy measuring and understanding Earth’s orientation in the space, field of gravity and other fundamental properties of Earth that impact human development and environment.
“The role of geodesy is fundamental to various scientific areas, such as navigation and mapping, climate change, engineering, meteorology, natural resources management and natural hazards,” He said. Prof. Baki further noted that, “Accurate coordinate mapping systems, based on geodetic science, are important for managing land, building infrastructure and ensuring fair access to essential services like water, electricity, healthcare and education.”
Some of the project’s objectives are: (i) to assess the current state of geodetic equipment, computational infrastructure, and human capacity across African countries and (ii) to identify critical gaps and opportunities for enhancement and strategically plan for new infrastructure development.
This therefore directly and indirectly contribute to all of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and quickly bridging the gaps in the Africa continent to fully harness these benefits.
This further, significantly, improving geodetic infrastructure in the continent, as many regions in Africa lack the necessary tools, data and expertise to contribute meaningfully to global geodesy efforts.
