All TU-K News

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.

Students from the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) and Universities from Romania participated in a conference and workshop discussions to commemorate the “World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development”.  The cultural exchange is mainly to strengthen multiculturalism and promote the rich traditions of masks across different cultures, with an aim to promote peace and tolerance.

The event was jointly organised by TU-K and Romania Embassy in Kenya. The activities for the day included music, theatre, and traditional dances with masks. These series of activities would mark friendship and partnership between Romania and Kenya.

Distinguished guests who graced the occasion, included Romania Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Mrs. Gentiana Serbu, Serbia Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Ms. Danijela Cubrilo Martic, the VC, Prof, Benedict Mutua, DVC in charge of Institutional Advancement and Enterprises Prof. Paul Wambua, DVC in charge of Research and Technology Advancement Prof. Alfred Orina, Ag. DVC in charge of Students Academics and Affairs Prof. Francis Gatheri.

The dream of young Kenyans getting employment opportunities in Germany may soon become a reality.  Mr. Volker Falch, Managing Director Head of International Division, Bildungswerk der Bayerischen Wirtschaft (BBW) International, explained that there is a high demand for young, well trained and talented Kenyans to work in Germany.Mr. Falch disc losed this when he recently paid a courtesy call to the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), accompanied by Ms Aurelia Starringer, the Team Lead Migration.

 The delegation explained that Germany universities teach professional skills as well as collaborate with local industries to ensure that education is aligned with the market needs. The duo told the University Management that their company had been engaged with all aspects of vocational training for almost 50 years, in international projects and therefore together with experts and other partners, can tackle different key topics.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) of the Technical University of Kenya student branch, on Friday 17 th May 2024 held a workshop that was addressed by distinguished academics from recognized universities globally. TU-K joined the world’s largest Technical Professional Organization IEEE, in the year 2020 and became the 7^th University in Kenya to be a member of the Association. The international academics included; Prof. Atif Samim from Saudi Arabia, Prof. Cristiano Tomassoni from Italy, Prof. Carlos Lopez Martinez from Spain and Prof. Shiban Koul from India.

Various topics were addressed for example; transmission lines for high speed/high frequency integrated circuits, basics of SAR polarimetry, Additive Manufacturing: Emerging Opportunities for Microwave Components. The guests were received by Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs (ASA), Prof. Francis Gatheri who noted that the visit was important to the university. He informed them that TU-K was looking forward to more collaborations in its pursuit to remain a leading university of technology in Kenya.

The Technical University of Kenya has partnered with the Kenya Forestry Service (KFS) in a joint effort to grow tree seedlings. The initiative will greatly contribute towards the Government’s target of planting 15 billion trees in 10 years.

On 10^th May 2024, The University, together with KFS, for the second time, jointly planted 1200 tree seedlings at Konza Technopolis City consisting an assortment of indigenous trees. The day had been declared a public holiday by the Government for Kenyans to plant trees and also to honour people who lost lives during the recent flashfloods.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Institutional Advancement & Enterprise, Prof. Paul Wambua, who joined members of staff and student in the tree planting exercise, lauded the joint effort between TU-K and KFS, as well as Konza City for providing and preparing the ground for tree growing exercise.

The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), Maseno University, Murang’a University of Technology and the African Science and Technology Policy Institute jointly organised a research networking and proposal writing workshop targeted at mid-level career researchers. The workshop that brought together experts in research was pitched at offering young researchers with critical and technical knowledge in writing winning grant proposals.

The Technical University of Kenya Alumni Association (TUKAA) held its inaugural board meeting on 2^nd May 2024 in the conference room.The main agenda of the meeting was to welcome the newly-appointed members and deliberate on the best way forward for the Association. The meeting culminated in the election of the Board Chairman, Eng. Robert Juma Wamalwa.