EBK launches 4th Engineering Partnership Convention to bring on-board industry players

“Science can amuse and fascinate us all, but it is engineering that changes the world,” Isaac Asimov, American writer, professor of biochemistry.

The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) today launched the 4th Engineering Partnership Convention (EPC) which will bring together the engineering fraternity for a meaningful dialogue in the industry.

The Convention will take place in 2 weeks in Naivasha and will have various sector players interrogate the engineering policy & regulatory environment of the Engineering practice. The three-day Convention whose theme is “Transfroming Kenya’s Economy-Engineers Contribution to Development” will bring together over 2000 participants including policymakers, industry experts, academicians, researchers, trade-in services experts, and Kenyan engineers to create dialogue, reflection, and partnerships that will strengthen Kenya’s engineering education, training, and practice.

Speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary,Ministry of Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen in a speech read PS Roads Eng. Joseph Mbugua said, “EPC 2023 provides a platform to showcase the critical role of engineers in the economic transformation. Under roads and transport, engineers create linkage that reduces trade barriers, improves market access, promotes economic activities across the country, attract both domestic and foreign investments.”

Principal Secretary, State Department for roads, Eng. Joseph Mbugua noted the Engineering Partnership Convention will provide a platform for engineers and the delegates to witness how problems solving innovations and solutions that can enhance our quality of life, development and transformation of our Country’s physical infrastructure, technology, and systems.The Convention will also discuss key technological advancements and impacts on standards andpractice. This will ensure development of appropriate legislation, policies, and strategies.

This year’s theme is premised on:
• Engineering and Economic Development;
• Developing the Engineering Capabilities;
• Liberalizing Professional Engineering Services in the East African Community and AFCTA; and
• Addressing the Legal, Regulatory and Operational Gaps for Safe, Efficient, and Effective
Infrastructure.

“This Convention provides a platform for stakeholders from across the Globe to discuss the engineering capability to support sustainable development for Kenya, East Africa Region, and the continent,” Eng. Erastus Mwongera, Chairman, Engineers Board of Kenya.Also present at the Launch were Eng. Margaret Ogai CEO,Engineers Board of Kenya, Eng. Erick Ohaga, President, Institution of Engineers Kenya,Richard Macharia,MAFI East Africa Ltd, and representatives from KETRACO, ACEK, KPLC, ISUZU, NuPEA, KeNHA,KURA, Apex Steel, ESICS, and KIBHT.

The Convention is also aligned to the global Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) which include: SDG 4:Quality Education –Ensuring that engineering education in Kenya is globally recognised and imparts the engineering skills required for the achievement of Vision 2030.SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth –Ensuring engineering entrepreneurship in the country,region, continent and global arenas contribute to creation of employment, competitiveness, and capacity building of local engineering consulting firms. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Increased investment in research and development is required to find solutions for crises such as COVID-19. Engineers are required to provide more innovative solutions that are resilient and sustainable in the face of global and national crises.

Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development. SDG 17: Partnerships – Creation of partnerships and combining of resources that will contribute to streamlining engineering education, training and practice and will out Kenya’s engineering value chain on the global map.