The first (1^st) and second (2^nd) year students pursuing Electrical and Communications Engineering troubleshooting electronic circuits during the workshop.

Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s School of Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE) has continued to impart its students with practical skills required in the job market, as it hits week two of the 2022/2023 workshop practice. The rigorous exercise is a core training requirement that instills practical skills of engineering in the students before proceeding to the industrial attachment. This involves students pursuing engineering at the levels of Undergraduate Studies for the first (1^st) and second (2^nd) year; Diploma 2^nd year and as well as Technology Education 2^nd year. The exercise is undertaken at various facilities of the University.

The Dean SEBE, Prof. Eng. Bernadette Sabuni, together with the Chairpersons of Departments; Dr. James Owuor (Electrical and Communications Engineering), Dr. Peter Cherop (Mechanical and Industrial Engineering) and Dr. Micah Mukolwe (Civil and Structural Engineering), have commissioned technologists who have vast knowledge and experience in the rigorous training to enhance the practical sessions. The training exercise is being supervised to ensure efficiency and prudent utilization of resources.

The Civil and Structural Engineering workshop coordinator, Mr. Geoffrey Mwasame (far right), and Mr. Solomon Shimala guiding the students through setting out of buildings.

The students from the Department of Civil and Structural Engineering are engaged in various activities including; reconnaissance survey, construction and setting out drawings, setting out of buildings, carpentry, masonry, hydraulics, building construction as well as construction site visits.

The Electrical and Communication engineering students are taken through training exercises in the sections of; Electronic repairs and troubleshooting, Electrical Installations (residential, industrial, and commercial), and Electrical Mechanics (motor controls). Equally, the workshop practice for the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering is tailored towards; machining, welding, and fitting.

Second-year students pursuing Mechanical and Industrial Engineering operating a lathe machine.

The workshop practice will culminate with an industrial visit where the students will visit various industries to experience the actual application of a wide array of practical techniques and skills taught in class. Further, the assessment will be conducted at individual and group levels, as well as workshop practice and industrial visit reports.

Notably, this has been made possible through the various facilities including; the Mechanical workshop laboratory, Electrical and Electronics laboratory, civil engineering laboratories, as well as the TVET and Engineering Complex Construction site.

The SEBE technologists include; Mr. Geoffrey Mwasame, Mr. Gideon Kitiyo, Mr. Evans Nandasaba, Mr. Solomon Shimala, Ms. Valarie Lutta, Mr. Caleb Kibet, Mr. Moses Toili, Mr. Zablon Mbogo, Mr. Meredith Liheeli, Mr. Ibrahim Chimoi, Mr. Vitalis Igundwa, Mr. Agripina Amani and Ms. Faith Gichuhi.

Mechanical and Industrial students engage in welding during the workshop.

Indeed, SEBE is ensuring that its students are well acquainted with the tools and basic skills of engineering. This practical workshop is crucial in equipping students with practical aspects of engineering required in the job market.

By Verna Awuor

Photos by Mary Wangari Wambugu