The Faculty of Engineering has had close ties with Kenya for years: Many students come from there and impress with their achievements and commitment, so more of them are welcome to come. There is a lively exchange with Moi University in Eldoret in terms of research, particularly in the field of renewable energies. The Archbishop of Eldoret has already visited the Rüsselsheim Campus, as has the personal speaker of the President's daughter Charlene Ruto. In the last two years, a Kenyan guest researcher has been actively involved in research and teaching in the faculty, the PreStudyING program has seen an increase in Kenyan students and now Ulrike Stadtmüller, Bernd Schweizer and Stefan Kontermann have also visited Kenya for the first time.
The organizer of everything was and is Cromwell Kebenei, a former graduate of the faculty, who is pulling the strings here. The occasion was an invitation from Moi University to the inauguration of the large solar energy project. The festivities were embedded in visits to the DAAD and the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi, a visit to the Technical University in Mombasa and intensive visits to the educational environment of Eldoret in the Kenyan highlands.
Visit leads to first joint projects
As a result, many opportunities for further activities emerged: Subsequently, the first joint projects have already been tackled, for example in the field of ecotoxicology, and in September a doctoral candidate from Germany will travel to Eldoret for research. The English-language Master's programs starting in October were advertised and many interested parties showed up. There was also an exceptionally high level of interest in the PreStudyING program.
On May 13, impressions of the trip were presented to the faculty. Prior to this, there was a brief summary at the first departmental meeting of the current summer semester. The professors mentioned will be happy to provide details and answer any questions. It was an inspiring trip and we look forward to continuing it!