Kenyan engineers may soon get recognition by the International Engineering Authority (IEA) going the recent mentorship by their Malaysian and the Pakistani counterparts.
The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) Chairman Erustus Mwongera says earlier plan was shelved due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic but expressed optimism that the accreditation was likely to be finalized by 2023.
He said the Board of Engineers from Malaysia and the Institution of Engineers of Pakistan had agreed to offer a road map to make the exercise a reality.
Mwongera made the revelation in Kwale County during the ongoing 29th IEK Convention happening in Diani saying the accreditation was likely to take place in 2024.
He recognized the role played by professionals adding that an Engineer was molded from early stages of kindergarten, exposed to engineering activities, and encouraged to create a strong interest in sciences and mathematics.
Engineering, he said, is a very demanding course and that’s why most of the students who go to engineering have a grade A score.
Explaining the role of education in engineering, Mwongera reiterated that universities play a very critical role in molding the life of an engineer adding that institutions offering courses and programmes on engineering must be certified by the relevant board.
“It is for their own benefit because when they become members of the International Alliance, they are the biggest beneficiaries and they shall attract international students. Their lecturers will be marketable locally and globally and therefore it is a win-win situation for everyone,” said Mwongera.
Speaking at the same occasion, President of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya (IEK) Erick Ohaga said his institution is working closely with the academia to review curriculum and reflect what the industry is experiencing.
“Already some of the universities like Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture have already introduced climate mitigation measures meaning they are responding to the market requirement of mitigating climate change,” said Eng. Ohaga.
“We currently encourage our design engineers to ensure that the designs are subjected to climate change resilient conditions,” he added.
Eng. Ohaga said the collaboration framework between the Institution of Engineers and Academia is getting stronger every day.
By Catherine Muindi
