Engineering Education and Practice in Kenya: The Way Forward

by
Eng. Prof. Lawrence Gumbe

Vision 2030 recognizes that we need to greatly increase the number of engineers in
Kenya if we are to implement the projects which will make us realize the vision. At
the same time, we have recently been reading in the press that some Universities
have had to close because of students unrest due to polemics between the
universities and the Engineers Board of Kenya.
To realize Vision 2030, we need more engineers. We need more innovation. We
need more innovative engineers. What, therefore, is the problem? Why are the
Universities and the Engineers Board of Kenya not agreeing? Who has the right
to determine what universities teach, what is taught, how it is taught, to whom it is
taught and who qualifies to be awarded a university degree? Who has the right to
determine what a university degree is called? What is the proper role of a statutory
professional registration body such as the Engineers Board of Kenya? What is the
role of the Commission for University Education? Given the current challenges
between the universities and EBK what is the best way forward?
To answer the above questions and to enunciate a just way forward, we need to
examine the roles of the Universities and the Engineers Board of Kenya.
The Universities Act 2012 is an Act of Parliament to provide for the development of
university education; the establishment, accreditation and governance of universities;
the establishment of the Commission for University Education, the Universities
Funding Board and the Kenya University and Colleges Central Placement Service
Board; the repeal of certain laws, and for connected purposes.
The Act recognizes that a University, in performing its functions shall have the right
and responsibility to preserve and promote the traditional principles of academic
freedom in the conduct of its internal and external affairs.
Academic freedom is a prominent feature of the English University concept. It is
the freedom to appoint faculty, set standards and admit students. This ideal may
be better described as institutional autonomy and is distinct from whatever freedom
is granted to students and academic staff by the institution. The Supreme Court of
the United States said that academic freedom means a University can determine for
itself on academic grounds: Who may teach; what may be taught; how it should be
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taught; and who may be admitted to study.

Academic Freedom means that a university may opt to offer an undergraduate
degree programme called Bachelor of Engineering, B.Eng, and another one offer a
similar programme called Bachelor of Science in Engineering, B.Sc (Eng)
A few years ago, the University of Pretoria had a department called Civil and
Biosystems Engineering. At the same time the University of Nairobi had a
department called Environmental and Biosystems Engineering. It is prudent for
a university to consult widely with industry and other stakeholders with respect to
curriculum development, including development of new programmes and review of
existing ones. However, the final decision on what to teach, who is to be taught, who
teaches and how to teach must rest with the university.
The Engineers Registration Act 2011 is an Act of Parliament to provide for the
training, registration and licensing of engineers, the regulation and development
of the practice of engineers and for connected purposes. The Act creates the
Engineers Board of Kenya. The Board is responsible for the registration of
engineers and firms, regulation of engineering professional services, setting of
standards, development, and general practice of engineering.
The Engineers Board of Kenya and the public university are public institutions. The
Constitution of Kenya requires that they conduct their mutual relations on the basis
of consultation and cooperation. Chapter 6 of the Constitution requires state officers
to: Exercise public trust in a manner that: is consistent with the purposes and objects
of the Constitution; demonstrate respect for the people; bring honour to the nation
and dignity to the office; and promote public confidence in the integrity of the office;
and vest in the state officer the responsibility to serve the people, rather than the
power to rule them
Engineering professions arise due to historical necessity. Civil Engineering,
engineering for civilians, arose at the dawn of the industrial revolution.
Before this engineers were,mainly engaged in the military, hence they were
mainly Military Engineers.
From the original Civil Engineering, we now have
branches of engineering which virtually cover all the letters of the alphabet. We
have aeronautical, architectural, biological, biotechnical, ceramic, chemical,
environmental, fire, pharmaceutical up to zoological engineering.
The universities, Engineers Board of Kenya and Commission for University
Education need to dialogue. This dialogue must be informed by the fact that our
universities must be centres of engineering innovation if we are to realize Vision
2030 and transform Kenya.
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The Engineers Board of Kenya may wish to borrow from the registration process
of the Council of Legal Education of Kenya. The Council of Legal Education,
through the Law School, offers courses to graduates who wish to be admitted. Each
graduate, from Kenyan or foreign universities, is assessed and is thereafter required
to take courses as may be appropriate. The EBK may also borrow from the USA
system of engineering registration. Graduates are required to take and pass a
short examination to attain the status of Engineer in Training (EIT). After a period
of practice, under the guidance of professional engineers, the EITs, or (Registered
Graduate Engineers in Kenya), are required to take and pass a longer open book
examination before they acquire the status of Professional Engineer,( Registered
Engineers in our case).
Let us go forward with good faith, mutual consultations and the interest of students,
graduates, parents, industry and the general public being paramount.

Eng. Prof. Lawrence Gumbe is an academic and a practicing Registered Consulting

Engineer
Nairobi 11 November 2014

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