The University of Nairobi (a member of the Global MOOC Alliance) and the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) have embarked on a partnership that will be vital in bridging the gap between engineering theory and practice while promoting best practices in the field. This partnership is in line with the university’s mandate to establish linkages and partnerships with industry in a bid to build and enhance knowledge bases and growth opportunities.
In a meeting hosted by the University of Nairobi (UoN)’s Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o on the 22nd July, 2021, the parties present including the President of IEK Nathaniel Matalanga came to an agreement that the university would provide content for Engineering in Kenya Magazine; UoN will get a chance to contribute to the fourth issue and subsequent issues.
Engineering in Kenya is a bi-monthly publication with an audience of 100,000 that affords IEK members an opportunity to publish their opinions and observations with regards to achievements, innovations and trends in the field of engineering.
The fourth issue of Engineering in Kenya is titled Engineering, Education, Research and Practice. UoN will contribute content on the history of engineering and the direction the UoN hopes to undertake in the future. This will also give the University of Nairobi a chance to tell its story on its own terms.
“The role of professional bodies like IEK is very vital to UoN engineering students. This publication will provide an opportunity for staff and students to contribute their knowledge in engineering to the non-academic community.” noted Prof Ogeng’o. Articles written by upcoming and professional engineers will contribute to their visibility among their peers.
The Dean Faculty of Engineering Prof. Ayub Gitau acknowledged the fact that past collaborations with IEK went a long way in ensuring the student organization Engineering Students Association (ESA) had a link with industry. IEK is one of the professional bodies that provides funding and support for the annual engineering conferences and magazine. It also works with the Faculty of Engineering to ensure students are engaged in industrial training and internships. Prof. Ayub was thus very receptive on the University embarking on a new venture with IEK.
This UoN-IEK partnership will provide an outlet for engineering innovation and research to reach far and wide. The parties involved hope to establish more areas of collaboration such as guest lecturing from engineering professionals.
This article originally appeared on https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/news/institute-engineers-partnership-promote-best-practices
