UON working towards offering courses in renewable energy

Abstract

The University of Nairobi (UON) is looking to explore the opportunities in research and training on renewable energy in the country. This was said by the vice chancellor, Prof Magoha during a courtesy call by a team from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), which is a leading institution in petroleum and energy studies. The team is in Kenya to follow up on collaboration with the University through the College of Biological and Physical Sciences which successfully applied for funding from the International Association of Universities. The project, ‘Strengthening research capacity and research management in Renewable Energy’ is funded under the 2012 Leadership Development for Higher Education Reform (LEADHER) Programme. Its objectives include research collaboration, reciprocal learning visits from the teams of each organization, and academic program’s. According to Prof Magoha, sustainability of energy and water systems in Kenya is important especially with the discovery of oil. To this end, the College of Biological and Physical Sciences, in collaboration with the School of Engineering will develop a curriculum on petroleum and chemical engineering. The UPES team leader, Dr. Sanket Goel, who is the Associate Vice President- Research, committed to support the UON team in developing the programs and in developing areas for collaboration in renewable energy. Among those who attended the meting were Prof. Lucy Irungu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Production and Extension, Prof. Isaac Mbeche, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Prof. Bernard Aduda, Principal, CBPS, among others