SEBE Workshop participants at Golf Hotel, Kakamega.
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology’s School of Engineering and Built Environment (SEBE) conducted a workshop on 27th June, 2023 at Golf Hotel-Kakamega, which intended to encourage its researchers to write more grant proposals in order to create collaboration opportunities, as well as attract more money to the individual researchers and the University. The theme of the Workshop was ‘Industry Academia Partnership; Opportunities for Research Collaborations’.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo, who officially commenced the Workshop, urged the scholars to carry out quality research, embrace paper writing and take part in networking activities, so as to transform communities. “As scholars, we need to change how we conduct our research so as to attract more funding,” he said, adding that engineers are very important because they facilitate the development of infrastructure.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Charles Mutai, giving his remarks at the SEBE Workshop.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Research and Innovation), Prof. Charles Mutai, urged the researchers to embrace community outreach through CSR activities, which will help in the identification of various problems that need creative solutions. “For researchers to gain worldwide recognition, they need to have an impact on the local community, before advancing to the global community,” said Prof. Mutai, adding that his office will support every SEBE researcher to attain their potential.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Students Affairs), Prof. Hussein Golicha, reiterated that researchers should conduct cutting-edge research for better innovations that will increase chances of funding. Additionally, he acknowledged that technology is at the heart of every development.
Prof. Peter Bukhala making his presentation.
Director of Research and Postgraduate Support, Prof. Peter Bukhala, reminded the engineers that the world is transforming with the advancement of technology, therefore there is a need for them to move from oily industry to new technology industry. He advised researchers to focus on research that is aimed at solving the nation’s problems. “There are many research opportunities open for SEBE researchers, including, renewable energy, water and sanitation and smart agriculture. We should also improve our multi-disciplinary teams, take lead in J-STEM, create TVET materials and share studies that are evidence based,” he said.
The Dean SEBE, Prof. Eng. Bernadette Sabuni, applauded the School’s researchers for their efforts in developing great projects and asked them to continue in the same spirit. The Dean advised them to work with people from other fields, especially social scientists, who are vital to communicating complex information to the community.
Director of Research Vihiga County, Ms. Winnie Sendi, during her presentation.
Director of Research Vihiga County, Ms. Winnie Sendi, discussed ‘Collaboration of County Government and Academia.’ In her presentation, she explained that the collaboration between Universities and County Governments is crucial to developing solutions faced in the communities. She also talked about challenges in the County, such as lack of technical skills by the staff, late disbursement of funds by the National Government, as well as lack of new knowledge especially on grants and reports. She asked the University to intervene in order to help tackle these challenges.
Other presentations during the Workshop were; Civil and Structural Engineering Department-Dr. Bernard Omondi and Dr. Edwin Kanda presented on Structural Material Engineering- Development on Sustainable Sugarcane Bagasse Ash-Based Geopolymer Concrete for Construction Industry, Development of Rebound Hammer Strength Curves or Emerging Structural Concrete, Highway and Transportation Engineering- Analysis and Design of Sustainable Moment-less Arch for Bridges and Tunnel, and Water and Environmental Engineering-Ground Water Assessment in Bungoma County among others.
A section of the participants follows keenly during the SEBE Workshop.
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department; by Dr. Peter Cherop and Dr. Ebinga Emmanuel Osore presented on Optimization of Bio-digester for Remote Sensing and Monitoring, Telemedicine which is a multidisciplinary project between MIE Department, Public Health Department and SCI Department, SMART Solar Box, and Electrical and Communication Engineering Department projects by Dr. James Owuor.
By Masitsa Millicent & Getrude Ajiambo
Photos by Wangari Wambugu
