Faculty of Engineering and Technology holds a sensitization meeting with lecturers and international partners on the Orange Knowledge (OKP) Water in nexus with agriculture project

The Faculty of Engineering and Technology on Wednesday, 29 September, held a Water in Nexus with Agriculture sensitization meeting at Main Campus in Njoro with lecturers from the Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Education and Community Studies as well as international partners from The Netherlands. 

The purpose of the meeting was to sensitize the wider resource persons from the three faculties on the Orange Knowledge (OKP) water in nexus with agriculture project. The project is supported by OKP of The Netherlands Embassy and brings together three local partners and three partners from The Netherlands.

The three local partners are Egerton University, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA), and the Eldoret National Polytechnic (TENP). The three partners from The Netherlands are Aeres University of Applied Sciences, MDF Training & Consultancy, and Cadena International Development Projects. The project’s total budget is 667,000 Euros (OKP grant & 10% co-funding).

During the interaction, the acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Professor Micah Chepchieng said that the University will support the project in achieving its objectives. He added that the project would benefit students and staff in the development of skills and competencies in thematic areas of water and agriculture.

The project’s coordinator at Egerton University is Professor Japheth Onyando, Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology. He said the project’s objective is to improve professional education and vocational training capacity at the level of TVET institutions in Kenya to deliver water-smart and climate-smart agriculture training in strong collaboration with the private sector.

The project will contribute to making the education more; inclusive (gender, marginalized groups and special needs); water-smart and climate-smart courses; aligned with current and future agriculture sector demands; competence-based focusing on applying practical skills and knowledge in real-life situations; collaboration and linkages (internships, guest lecturers); soil and water lab equipment; and capacity building.

The Dean Faculty of Agriculture Prof. Patience Mshenga welcomed the initiative saying that the project will contribute to the Big 4 Agenda.

“This project will improve our academic staff skills on how to deliver curriculum and work with farmers. We can assist each other in conserving water for sustainable agricultural practices,” added Prof. Mshenga.

The Dean, Faculty of Education and Community Studies, Prof. Joseph Wamutitu welcomed OKP collaboration with Egerton University, adding that it was necessary to improve our capacity in terms of sustainability in agriculture as it is the cornerstone of Kenya’s economy.

Also present during the sensitization meeting were Prof. Anthony Kibe, Professor of Agronomy. Dr Romulus Okwany and Dr Raphael Wambua from the Department of Agricultural Engineering. From the Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils were the acting Chair of Department Dr Pascal Okwiri, Prof. L Nakhone Wati, Dr  Z. Gichuru and Dr Jane Nyaanga.

From the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension were Dr Maina S W, Dr Miriam Kyule, Dr Justus Ombati and Ms Mary Waiganjo. Dr Nyaanga and Ms Waiganjo served as facilitators during the sensitization meeting.

The international partners present were Dan Westrik from Aeres University of Applied Sciences and Floris van Zuilekom from MDF Training & Consultancy.

The University Vice Chancellor, Management Board and Council wishes to thank the Orange Knowledge (OKP), Netherlands Embassy and of Netherlands Government for the funding and the Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology Prof Japheth Onyando for winning the grant.