The Engineers Board of Kenya has received petitions from over 500 graduates from unaccredited programmes who expressed willingness to attend remedial programmes in order to register as graduate engineers.
This is according to the Academic Qualification Committee Engineers Board of Kenya chair, Engineer Sylvestor Abuodha.
Abuodha said they have reviewed selected unaccredited programmes and identified gaps.
“We have resolved to design bridging programmes which will be delivered by Kenya School of Engineering in partnership with participating universities for roll out by July 1, 2024,” Abuodha said.
He addressed the press on the sidelines of a workshop meeting between the Engineers Board of Kenya and the Council of Engineers Deans and Principals in Machakos County on Friday.
Abuodha said as Engineers Board of Kenya, they were doing their best to accredit their courses offered in universities.
“In the last year or so, we have accredited about 15 courses to all the universities. Normally, we give the universities what their deficiencies and gaps are and also have follow–up sessions on them so that we can assist them to get accredited as fast as possible,” Abuodha said.
He said the board’s intention was to accredit almost all the programmes which are being offered in the engineering course.
Abuodha said that was the reason they were also working with the Council of Engineering Deans so that they tell them directly what is required for them for their courses to be accredited.
“In the near future, there should be no case of a course not being accredited. The head of public service directed us, the Engineers Board of Kenya and Commission for University Education to work together so that we can finish up this area and clear up as many courses as possible.
"So, we are working intensively in this area. In the near future, this shouldn’t be a problem again,” Abuodha said.
He said the country apparently has 3, 000 qualified and registered engineers.
They intend to increase this number to about 10, 000 by the year 2027.
“The ratio of population to engineers in the country is very high. We need to train as many engineers as possible,” Abuotha told the press.
He said there was a shortage of engineers in the faculty that offers engineering services.
“The Board has designed accelerated training programmes to support transition of Global Engineering Solutions to Product Engineering services among lecturers (GEIP academia model),” Abuodha said.
He said to address the acute shortage of teaching equipment in laboratories, they agreed to pursue collaborative framework between universities and industry to undertake applied research projects.
“The Board and COEDP express deep appreciation to the President for his support. Further, the Board and COEDP appreciate Head of Public Service for the directive that Commission of University Education and Engineers Board of Kenya develop framework for joint accreditation of engineering programmes.
"We assure members of the public of our commitment to work closely with all stakeholders to enhance engineering education for the benefit of all Kenyans,” Abuodha said.
The Engineers Board of Kenya established under Section 3(1) of the Engineers Act 2011 is responsible for the registration on engineers and firms, regulation of engineering professional services, setting of standards, development and general practice of engineering.
The Council of Engineering Deans and Principals is an association of deans of schools, faculties and colleges offering Bachelor of engineering degree programmes.
The Association was established in 2014 to address common challenges experienced in engineering education including bridging the gap between the industry and academia, foster the partnerships and collaborations between EBK and Universities in engineering training, capacity building and address emerging issues in engineering education.
Abuodha said these goals are achieved through peering and information sharing among the local and international heads of engineering faculties.
The Council is affiliated to the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) and the Africa Engineering Deans Council (AEDC)
Abuodha said one of the Board's strategic objectives is to accede to Washington Accord by 2025.
Washington Accord is an international agreement between bodies responsible for accrediting engineering degree programmes.
The Accord outlines the mutual recognition, between the participating bodies of accredited engineering degree programmes.
It also establishes and benchmarks the standard for professional engineering education across those bodies.
Abuodha said joining Washington Accord will enhance mobility of engineers and facilitate trade of engineering services under Africa Continental Free Trade Area.
“The country is expected to realise many benefits including export of high value engineering jobs, exporting engineering services and attracting international students thus earning foreign exchange for the country,” Abuodha said.
He said currently, there are over 100 engineering programmes and over 20,000 students in 15 public universities and one private university.
“In preparation for joining Washington Accord, the Board and the Council of Engineering Deans and Principals met from February 28, 2024 to March 1, 2024.
"They considered among other things review and adoption of accreditation standards for EE aligned to WA and Reviewed CUE codebook and developed standardised nomenclature for engineering programmes,” Abuodha explained.
