On April 4, 2025, Chuka University underwent a critical evaluation of its BSc. Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme, as part of a review conducted by the Engineers Accreditation Committee (EAC) under the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK). This review aimed to align the university’s engineering curriculum with both national and international standards, marking a pivotal step in Kenya’s broader push to elevate the quality of its engineering education.
The review process was comprehensive and involved several key activities, including an opening meeting, consultations with faculty and students, facility inspections, and an assessment of the university’s infrastructure. Senior officials from EBK, including Eng. Grace Onyango, CE, who represented the Registrar/CEO, participated in the evaluation, alongside Chuka University’s leadership, faculty, and students. Eng. Onyango emphasized that the Engineers Board is deeply committed to expanding Kenya’s pool of qualified engineers. “We are focused on ensuring that our engineering graduates meet global standards,” she stated, underscoring the significance of this review in supporting national development.
The EAC’s visit is part of a larger initiative to ensure Kenyan engineering education meets the standards of the Washington Accord, an international agreement that facilitates mutual recognition of accredited engineering qualifications. Eng. Erastus K. Mwongera, CE, the Chair of EBK, highlighted the importance of these efforts, noting that Kenya is undergoing significant reforms aimed at making the country a provisional signatory to the Washington Accord by June 2025. “The Washington Accord is outcome-based and very practical,” said Eng. Mwongera. “These reforms are critical for enhancing the global mobility of Kenyan engineers.”
A central part of the review was the evaluation of Chuka University’s infrastructure, with the EAC team touring various learning facilities, such as laboratories, workshops, and the university library, to determine whether they met the needs of a high-quality engineering programme. In addition, the team held consultations with students from the Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme to understand their academic experiences and professional preparedness. This provided valuable feedback on how well the university’s engineering curriculum was preparing students for the demands of the industry.
The review reflects a broader push by EBK to improve the standards of engineering education in Kenya, ensuring that local graduates are well-equipped to compete in the global workforce. If Kenya successfully achieves provisional signatory status with the Washington Accord, it would mean that Kenyan engineering qualifications would be recognized internationally, allowing local engineers to practice abroad without the need for further qualifications.
This step is seen as crucial for enhancing the international standing of Kenyan universities, attracting global students, and improving the global competitiveness of local consultancy firms. As Eng. Mwongera aptly put it, the review at Chuka University marks “a new dawn” for the institution and the future of engineering education in Kenya.
Source: Chuka University News
