A workshop on ‘Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics’ has revealed that Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) is championing computational materials science in Kenya. The rare training workshop which took place on 7th and 8th April 2022, attracted more than ten Universities from the region and close to sixty student trainees from across the country. The Universities that participated in the two-day workshop included MMUST, University of Nairobi (UON), Kaimosi Friends University College (KAFUCO), Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Maseno University, Kisii University, Kabarak University, Tom Mboya University, Catholic University of East Africa, Chuka University, Presbeterian University of East Africa and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST). The workshop was held at MMUST -Main Catering Unit (MCU) boardroom.
The workshop organized by the School of Natural Sciences (SONAS) under the leadership of , was aimed at introducing and enhancing the fundamentals of molecular dynamics. It is part of the project which is among the forty (40) projects funded by MMUST University Research Fund (URF) grants. The Principal Investigator (PI) of the research project was while critical members of the team were Prof. Boniface Ndinya, Dr. Celline Awino, , Dr. George Manyali and . The expert trainers at the workshop included Dr. Francis Gaitho (MMUST), Dr. George Manyali (KAFUCO) and MMUST alumnus, Mr. James Sifuna (Catholic University of East Africa).
Ag. Registrar Academics, Prof. Thomas Sakwa giving his remarks.
The informative workshop was graced by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Hussein Golicha who is a Professor of Physics. Prof. Golicha appreciated the workshop organizers for endeavoring to carry out research in Physics and Chemistry which are key academic fields. He was accompanied by the Ag. Registrar Academics, Prof. Thomas Sakwa who expressed delight to be associated with the project. He reiterated that Physics and Chemistry are critical areas that require more research. Notably, Prof. Sakwa is a Professor of Condensed matter physics.
The director, Research and Postgraduate Support, Prof. Peter Bukhala applauded the organizers for including other Universities saying that the Multidisciplinary working approach will attract funding and make it easier for policymakers to implement and access these research. “This year and last year, the directorate is dedicated to strengthening Multi-Disciplinary Research in order to attract funding. I will be happy to see a Physics person work with a sports science person,” he added.
Speaking at the highly attended training workshop, the PI Dr. Odari, who is also the treasurer of Materials Research Society of Kenya (MRSK), encouraged participating Universities to make their laboratories and libraries 24 hours accessible to staff and students in order to facilitate a high level of research. “The knowledge gained in this workshop will help in simplifying fabrication of materials and engineering of devices. This includes materials that have good electric, magnetic and optical properties which are good for applications such as sensors, laptops and lenses,” he stated.
Dean SONAS, Dr. Joseph Owino and KAFUCO - Dr. George Manyali
The organizers of the workshop from MMUST were Prof. Boniface Ndinya (Physics), Dr. Celline Awino (Physics), Dr. Maxwell Mageto (COD, Physics). Prof. George Lawi (Mathematics) and Gershom Mutua (Chemistry). Most of the organizers and trainers are members of Material Society of Kenya and some of them also belong to the Computational and Theoretical Physics Group.
MMUST is likely to be the hub of fabrication of materials and engineering of devices in this part of the world. The team hopes to have another workshop around July in Nairobi sponsored by the Joint Undertaking for an African Materials Institute, Open Computing Facility (JUAMI-OCF). Such unique training workshops are indeed a platform for linking students to trainers and mentors. This incredible team is certainly ensuring that MMUST takes the lead in championing computational materials science in Kenya.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Linet Owuor
Photos by Wilberforce Shiundu
