This article contains information on top engineering schools in Kenya.
STEM courses and its related fields are now the courses young minds must consider if they must stay relevant in this evolving time. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and courses that are related to them. This, however, does not mean other courses are not relevant, this is just to say that top jobs in the nearest future would revolve around these fields. In this article, however, we would concentrate on Engineering.
Engineering is the branch of science and technology concerned with the use of scientific principles to design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures. The term engineering is derived from the Latin word, meaning “cleverness” and ingeniare, meaning “to contrive, devise”. The American Engineers Council for Professional Development defines Engineering as the “creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination; or to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design, or to forecast their behaviour under specific operating conditions; all as respects an intended function, economics of operation and safety to life and property”
The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of specialized fields of engineering, each with a more specific emphasis on particular areas of applied mathematics, applied science, and types of application.
The main branches of Engineering are as follows:
1. Chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is the application of physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering principles to carry out chemical processes to manufacture commodity chemicals, speciality chemicals, petroleum refining, microfabrication, fermentation, and biomolecule production.
2 Civil engineering
Civil engineering is concerned about the design and construction of public and private works, such as infrastructure (airports, roads, railways, water supply, and treatment etc.), bridges, tunnels, dams, and buildings. Civil engineering can be broken down into sub-disciplines and some include structural engineering, environmental engineering, and surveying.
3. Computer engineering
Computer engineering is a branch of engineering that combines computer science and electronic engineering to develop computer hardware and software. Computer engineers can be trained in electronic engineering, software design, and hardware-software integration.
4. Electrical engineering
Electrical engineering is concerned with the study, design and manufacturing of various electrical and electronic systems, such as broadcast engineering, electrical circuits, generators, motors, electromagnetic/electromechanical devices, electronic devices, electronic circuits, optical fibres, optoelectronic devices, computer systems, telecommunications, instrumentation, control systems, and electronics.
5. Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is the design and manufacture of physical or mechanical systems, such as power and energy systems, aerospace/aircraft products, weapon systems, transportation products, engines, compressors, powertrains, kinematic chains, vacuum technology, vibration isolation equipment, manufacturing, robotics, turbines, audio equipment, and mechatronics.
There are other forms of engineering. Some include manufacturing engineering, acoustical engineering, corrosion engineering, instrumentation engineering, information engineering, petroleum engineering, environmental engineering, systems engineering, audio, software, architectural engineering, agricultural engineering, biosystems, biomedical, geological, textile, industrial, materials, and nuclear engineering.
Let’s take a brief look at Kenya
The Republic of Kenya is the world’s 48th largest country by total area and 29th by population, with a population of more than 47.6 million people. It’s capital and largest city is Nairobi. Kenya’s national education system is structured on an 8-4-4 model with eight years of basic education, four years of secondary education and a four-year undergraduate curriculum. There are about 48 universities in Kenya, with the University of Nairobi as the oldest in the country.
Speaking about Engineering in Kenya, universities are basically responsible for training engineers. However, registration of Engineers is governed by the Engineering Registration Act. an aspiring engineer in Kenya who desires to be licensed must hold a minimum of four years post-secondary Engineering Education and a minimum of three years of postgraduate work experience. All registration is done by the Engineering Registration Board, a regulatory body established through the Act of the Kenyan Parliament in 1969. The board has been given the responsibility of regulating the activities and conduct of Practicing Engineers in the Republic of Kenya in accordance with the functions and powers conferred upon it by the Act. note that it is illegal to practise as an engineer if not registered with the board. Offenders would have to face the wrath of the law. Engineering colleges in Kenya offer certificate, diploma, degree, bridging, open and distance learning as well as postgraduate courses. However, it has been reported that a couple of schools in Kenya have not been accredited to offer engineering courses. Hence, we have taken it upon ourselves to provide you with a list of the best and accredited engineering colleges in the country.
Here is a list of the best Engineering school in Kenya:
1. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Established in 1981 and located at the very heart of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, JKUAT is a one-stop for many Kenyans and other nationals when it comes to the best engineering universities in Kenya. They offer courses in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering under the College of Engineering and Technology.
2. Kenyatta University (KU)
Kenyatta University can boast of not just being one of the best universities but ranks as one of the best engineering universities in Kenya. It is a public university located in Nairobi. Charted in 1985, it is the third university after University of Nairobi and Moi University. The university offers the following accredited engineering courses at Certificate & Diploma, Undergraduate, Masters and PhD Level. The engineering courses include Civil engineering. Electrical engineering and Mechanical Engineering
3. University of Nairobi (UoN)
The University of Nairobi is the oldest and largest university in the country in terms of the number of students they enrol as well the degree programmes they offer. The university is acclaimed for its high-quality education, notably in the fields of Medicine and Law. The accredited engineering courses in the University of Nairobi include Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Biosystems Engineering.
4. Moi University
Moi University is a public institution located in Kesses, Uasin Gishu county and established in 1984. This university is ranked amongst the top five universities in Kenya. They can also boast of offering a broad range of accredited engineering courses compared to other universities. Some include Production Engineering, Textile Engineering, Industrial & Textile Engineering, Chemical & Process Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Electrical & Communications Engineering, Mechanical & Production Engineering and Electrical & Telecommunications Engineering.
5. Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology
Dedan Kimathi University of Science and Technology is a public coeducational technological university in Kenya. It is one of the few universities in Kenya equipped with top-notched engineering facilities like the popular Advanced Design and Manufacturing and Training Centre (ADMATC). ADMATC conducts research and training in product innovation and development supported by design, manufacture and multi-disciplinary engineering technologies. Established in 2007, but chartered in 2012, they offer the following engineering courses- Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronic Engineering and Electrical and Electronic Engineering
6. Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)
Civil and Structural Engineering, Electrical and Communication Engineering and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering are the three engineering areas of concentration for Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, one of Kenya’s best institutions of higher learning. It was formerly named Western University College of Science and Technology but changed later to its current name which is after Masinde Muliro, a Kenyan politician who helped found the school.
7. Egerton University
Egerton University is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the country and the country’s premier Agricultural University, hence The institution is known to offer one of the most in-demand engineering courses in Kenya – Agricultural Engineering. The school has three campuses, but the main campus in Njoro houses the faculty of Engineering and Technology. Apart from Agricultural engineering, Egerton offers courses in Civil Engineering, Software Engineering, Technology in Civil Engineering, Water and Environmental Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering and Technology.
8. Multimedia University of Kenya
The Multimedia University of Kenya is a public university based in Nairobi. They are focused on offering courses in Information and Communication Technology as well as Mass Media. The university offers both diploma and degree courses. There are just two approved engineering courses in the Multimedia University of Kenya are Electrical & Telecommunications Engineering and Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering.
9. Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)
Mambosa is the second-largest city in Kenya and that is where one of Kenya’s oldest universities is situated. Technical University of Mombasa is located. TUC is another leading Kenyan public institution that offers accredited engineering courses. It is one of the National Polytechnics recently uplifted to a fully-fledged University in Kenya. Civil engineering, Mechanical Engineering as well as Electrical and Electronics Engineering are the three accredited engineering courses in TUM.
Note however that there are many universities that offer Engineering courses that are not accredited. It is sad that they are not indicated on the institution’s website. Therefore it is important as a proactive student to visit the website of the Engineering Registration Board. It is the regulatory body for Engineering institutions and colleges in Kenya.
