Engineering students from the University of Nairobi (UoN) are among students from other universities set to benefit from a mentorship programme organized by the Institution of Engineers in Kenya (IEK).
The announcement was made by Eng. Grace Kagondu, Chairperson IEK Capacity Building and Mentorship Committee during celebrations to mark World Engineering Day 2021 in Chandaria Auditorium at the University of Nairobi on 4th March 2021.
“One of the highlight activities organized by IEK is the Career Week for university students. This is a mentorship program that will run from 8th to 12th March 2021. It targets all universities that offer engineering courses across Kenya.”Eng. Kagondu said.
The aim of the programme is to foster continued students’ interests in the engineering career, expose them to the various engineering careers available to them after graduation as well as empower them to be part and parcel of the greater engineering community.
According to her, the program will be the first of its kind covering several universities simultaneously, taking advantage of the virtual platforms being used during COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are extremely delighted as IEK to be launching this programme during the anniversary of the 2nd World Engineering Day,”Eng. Kagondu said.
On his part, Prof. Ayub Gitau, Dean School of Engineering hailed the career week saying it will foster linkages and partnerships in the profession.
He decried lack of linkages between academia and as part of the solution, they are interacting with global engineering programs to see the best way that they can make this structure well synchronized.
“The university industrial linkages, the issues of attachment and internship of our graduates is our weakest point.
“Students’ attachment should flow well during their studies and IEK is one of the major players where we can help our students. The students finish 5 years of study, fail to get internship and that is where we lose them. They end up going to the non-structured engineering sector. Let us help them, they are the engineers of tomorrow. ”Prof. Gitau said.
This was the second time UoN was hosting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Engineering Day Kenya, a day set aside to celebrate and recognise the achievements of engineers and engineering.
The event brought together engineers from all fields as well as engineering students in various universities in Kenya.
The participants were also addressed by Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works Cabinet Secretary Mr. James Macharia, Eng. Nathaniel Matalanga, IEK President, Prof. Paul Maringa, PS Infrastructure among other dignitaries in the engineering profession.
The theme for this year’s event was: Engineering for a Healthy Planethttps://www.uonbi.ac.ke/news/iek-set-mentor-engineering-students
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