All TU-K News

Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Research and Technology Development (RTD), Prof. Isaac Orina, recently led a team from TU-K, on a visit to Fullcare Medical SEZ Ltd, a medical company based at Tatu City. The TU-K delegation was comprised of Prof. Jackson Odote, Dr. Naomi Waiganjo and Dr. Robert Onyancha from the Faculty of Applied Sciences and Technology (FAST) and Dr. Fredrick Mutua, Ag. Director, School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (SMME). 

A radio telescope dubbed Transient Array Radio Telescope (TART) has been launched at the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), the first ever astronomy installation of its kind in Kenya. Such other installations in the continent are only found in South Africa and Mauritius.The telescope, incorporating recent technologies of radio telescopes, was installed atop TU-K’s S-Block building. This is a milestone in space research in Kenya bringing together industry players, government agencies, universities and research institutions.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Benedict Mutua, has urged all first years to remain focused on their studies and avoid being used by politicians for self-gain. Prof. Mutua was speaking to first year students at the Main Hall while wrapping up the five-day orientation exercise.  He stressed that the University is situated at the Central Business District (CBD), which is volatile hence the need for students to be conscious of their environment. 

Prof. Francis Gatheri, Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs has adviced freshmen and women who joined the University recently to properly manage their time, leverage on University’s resources and maintain academic excellence. The DVC, who was speaking to the first years on the second day of the week-long orientation programme, explained that many students who join the University scored As in their high school examinations but usually fail to maintain a similar performance while at the University.

Dear freshmen, I welcome you to The Technical University of Kenya and congratulate you for gaining admission to pursue your studies in our esteemed University. Some people may take it for granted, but let me tell you that earning a place in our prestigious University is no mean achievement. Your admission here marks a beginning of a dynamic journey that will see you grow physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually. You have joined a vibrant academic community known for its rigorous training and robust education tradition and you will competently be prepared for the real world. Whereas this has always been our commitment, I wish to draw your attention to following three points.

Dr. Jacqueline Okeyo, a lecturer from the Department of Design and Creative Media, is among 15 grant winners of the African Women in Tech and AI.  The top 15 were among 80 female researchers and entrepreneurs selected in a competition that was held in Morocco. The teams from 28 countries in Africa also underwent a three-month training. Eight Kenyans qualified for the 2024 cohort; two of them won grants.

Dr. George Obiero from the Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology has won a research training grant from the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) - Supporting Research Community. The grant yields academic and research training opportunities, including training on essential skills in research presentation and grant writing for early and mid-career researchers.

Head of Public Service (HOPS), Felix Koskei, has challenged academic institutions to embed research into their educational curricula and provide hands-on opportunities for students, saying it cultivates a new generation of innovators and scholars. Mr. Koskei spoke during the 2024 Kenya National Research Festival which was held in Nairobi recently. He said, “The vibrant research culture, supported by strong collaborations between academia, industry, and Government will enhance our educational outcomes to position Kenya as a leader in addressing both local and global challenges.”

The Technical University of Kenya wishes to take this early opportunity to congratulate and welcome all the students who have been selected for the various programmes at the premier university, the Technical University of Kenya.  In order to give each one of you time to settle down and adjust to the (new) life with ease, the University has dedicated one week of orientation into the various aspects that would form part of your lifestyle for the period of stay at the university. Orientation will run from 26^th August 2024 to 30^th August 2024.

The orientation of new students joining the University is done face-to-face in order to among others: -

Four students from the Department of Journalism and Media Studies have landed job offers at a renowned agricultural magazine, The Smart Farmer Africa, after demonstrating high levels of proficiency during their Industry Based Learning (IBL). Smart Farmer Africa CEO Benardette Murgor applauded the students’ efforts and nose for learning in the wake of a huge demand for multimedia content and online-based content production and dissemination.

The 2nd African STACK Conference for Undergraduate Mathematics was hosted by System for Teaching Assessment using a Computer Algebra Kernel (STACK), an online-based open-source mathematics solution assessment system, at TU-K. The five-day conference was set up to train Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) members of teaching staff from various universities across Africa.

The Technical University of Kenya is set to cooperate with Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) in areas journalism and media training.

KBC has expressed interest in supporting journalism training at TU-K indicating that some of the equipment the University would benefit from would include; retired technology that can be used in demonstrating the evolution of age-old radio and TV broadcasting.

Research and innovation remain central in solving current challenges and a critical proposition for youth empowerment in Kenya. The Principal Secretary, State Department for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala said this in a speech read by TU-K VC, Prof. Benedict Mutua during the Kenya National Research Festival 2024 stakeholders’ briefing.  “It is recognised globally that research, science, technology, and innovation are essential for social and economic development. Most European and North America countries owe their development to intensive application of research findings.

The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), the University of Pretoria in South Africa and Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Germany are collaborating on a joint summer school dubbed “NICE Lab 50/50 Workshop” which was opened today by TU-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua at the university’s main campus. In a speech delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Institutional Advancement and Enterprises (IAE), Prof. Paul Wambua, the VC stated that the event marked a significant step forward in fostering innovation and creativity within the academic community. “Design is not merely about creating beautiful objects for spaces; it is a fundamental process that drives innovation, solves problems, and enhances our everyday lives,” he said.

The Technical University of Kenya has received a grant of EUR 34000 (Sh4.7 million) from OeAD-GmbH-Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation. The grant will support their project titled “Sustainability of Flood Plains Supported Livelihood in the Face of Climate Change in East Africa (Kenya and Rwanda)-PRO-SFP-EA”  

The project, spearheaded by Dr Evance Mbao and Dr Jane Oteki of the Department of Geosciences and the Environment, represents a collaborative effort between several institutions. Alongside TU-K, partners include Kisii University, Chuka University, University of Rwanda, and University of Innsbruck, Austria.

Prof. Javier Junquera, a visiting professor of physics from the University of Cantabria in Spain, has announced an extension of the Erasmus+ programme. This will see more students from TU-K benefit from exchange programmes and scholarship possibilities in learning and research with European universities.

During his recent visit to TU-K, Prof. Junquera, expressed his excitement whilst announcing that the Erasmus+ contract, which was set to expire next year, had been extended for an additional two years.

Partnership between universities and industry is critical in ensuring uptake of digital-based solutions in the processing of lands records in Kenya.

The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) VC Prof. Benedict Mutua, who was speaking during the 3rd Regional Research Conference themed; Data, Innovation and Technology for Land Governance said that the conference is taking place when the university has set up a base for big data research and quality information in land administration that is helpful in both private and public sectors.

Sixty eight students from the Technical University of Kenya have been awarded the prestigious Global Collaboration certificate by X-Culture, a renowned business coaching organisation. The certificates were presented by Elizabeth Rose, a Research Chair Professor at X-Culture. The students had been trained for seven weeks. The training places students in top cadre in their careers; either in employment, business or in entrepreneurship.

Prof. Rose who gave a lecture during the award ceremony at TU-K, said students or career persons acquire critical skills and unique experience that employers value in today’s business world. The Acting DVC – Academic, Research and Students, Prof. Francis Gatheri Ag. Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Technology, Prof. Tom Kwanya, DBAE Academic Team Leader, Prof. Vidijah Sagwa, together with ATL, Modern and Classical Languages Dr. Teresa Atieno Otieno attended the award ceremony.

Dr. Lilian Ogendo, Senior Lecturer, in the Department of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship (DBAE) is the lead coordinator for X-culture in Kenya.

The Technical University of Kenya recently has signed an MoU with Transilvania University of Brașov, Romania. The signing ceremony took place at the Romanian Embassy in Nairobi.  TU-K Vice-Chancellor Prof. Benedict Mutua and Transilvania University of Brașov Dean, Faculty of Furniture Design and Wood Engineering Prof. Alin OLĂRESCU signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions.

Present during the event were the Romanian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Gentiana Serbu, and TU-K Deputy Vice-Chancellor in-charge of Institutional Advancement and Enterprises (IAE) Prof. Paul Wambua, among other dignitaries.

TU-K enjoys mutual relationship with the Embassy of Romania. The two have jointly taken part in various activities among them; ‘The Romanian International Day for Cultural Diversity and Development, held in Nairobi from 21^st May.’ The event exhibited cultural heritage and traditions from Kenya and Romania. Music, dance and art defined the occasion.