On Monday, July 3rd, 2023, the University of Nairobi kick-started a significant venture in cooperation with notable French higher education institutions. The Tripartite Partnership Agreement (TPA) was inaugurated, marking the start of a transformative journey towards the creation of the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC).
The ESC, a state-of-the-art facility, is designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering a culture of innovation and exchange of knowledge. The complex aims to cultivate the necessary skills and expertise in students, equipping them to excel in the dynamic world of engineering, science, and technology.
The event was graced by key speakers, among them His Excellency Arnaud Suquet, the French Ambassador to Kenya and Somalia. Suquet emphasized the importance of this project, the largest French cooperation endeavor in Africa's higher education sector. He acknowledged Kenya's significance within France's vision for its relationship with Africa and expressed optimism that the ESC would become a hub for cooperation and mobility between Kenyan and international actors.
The French Development Agency (AFD) Director, Mr. Willocquet Betrand, announced AFD's support for the partnership over the next four years. He highlighted the commitment of both countries to environmental sustainability, with the ESC aiming for LEED certification. This aligns with the goals of the 2015 Paris Agreement.
The University of Nairobi's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, emphasized the transformative impact that the TPA would have on the ESC. He envisages it becoming a beacon where academia meets the economic world, education meets people, and research and innovation meet society.
Prof. Fethi Bedioui, the Director of International Relations at Chimie Paristech, stressed the importance of partnerships in achieving the goals of the ESC. He emphasized the need for collaborations across academia, business, industry, and policy makers to address global challenges, contribute to economic growth, and jointly tackle societal issues.
Furthermore, Brian Ouma, the Chief Operations Officer and Director of University Advancement and Institutional Development, highlighted the partnership's focus on research, curriculum development, and innovation to address complex global challenges and push the boundaries of knowledge.
The Dean Faculty of Science & Technology expressed her delight that the iconic Complex will be built at the beautiful and vast chiromo campus. The dean noted Chiromo Campus is a leading institution in teaching & research in science, technology and innovations in Kenya and the Eastern African Region.
She also expressed confidence that the faculty would reap the benefits from the establishment of the complex Provide quality education and training; be a Centre of excellence in research; Transfer Science Technology and Innovation to society for the benefit of humanity
The faculty hosts several centres of excellence which include C4DLab –a research & development (R&D) and start-up incubation laboratory, solar academy at the Department of Physics which offers a short professional course in design, installation and maintenance of Solar PV systems. and The Kenya National Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (KNMRC) Centre which provides services by analyzing samples using NMR spectrometers for researchers and postgraduate students from various universities and research institution.
The ceremony saw a robust discussion about potential partnership opportunities, joint research initiatives, and student engagement programs. Esteemed guests included industry leaders, government officials, renowned researchers, and representatives from leading academic institutions in France.
The event also witnessed the participation of partnering organizations like Bureau Veritas, Elgon Kenya, TotalEnergies, Schneider Electric, and Saint Gobain. This demonstrated the collective effort across sectors to drive innovation and progress.
The Tripartite Partnership Agreement promises to be a transformative force in education, setting a new standard for the integration of industry and academia. The Engineering and Science Complex, with its focus on innovation, sustainability, and collaboration, is poised to make a significant contribution to global scientific and engineering development.
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