Dr.Gathenya during an exchange conference.

JKUAT joined IAESTE as a cooperating institution in 2004 through the initiative of Prof. Kioni of Mechanical Engineering department. That year it received two students and sent out one. The year 2005 was the first year of full participation in the IAESTE exchange programme. JKUAT received seven students for the ten offers it exchanged and sent out five students. In 2006, JKUAT sent out eight students and received eleven students for the thirteen offers it exchanged.In 2007, JKUAT sent out and received nine students, with the first exchange from Africa ie. Rwanda.So far the exchange has been between the countries Germany, Spain, UK, Poland and Rwanda. The participation of JKUAT has made Kenya one of three African nations that are active in IAESTE exchange. In Kenya the participating employers are JKUAT, Bamburi Cement Ltd, Unilever (K) Ltd, DAAD Office Nairobi , Davies & Shariff and Nampak Ltd.

The students coming to Kenya are attached to industries in Nairobi and Thika and to laboratories and workshops in JKUAT. JKUAT offered internships to three and eight students in 2005 and 2006 respectively. The attachments have involved both male and female students from Faculties of Engineering, Agriculture and Science and the School of Architecture and Building Sciences. The incoming students are paired up with JKUAT students so that they can share experiences from their home countries and learn to work together. In addition JKUAT organises a programme with both JKUAT and visiting students participation that includes visits to our national parks, museums and other cultural events.

In 2006, eight students returned from abroad with wonderful stories of their experiences while on attachment. We also received assessment reports from the employers that JKUAT students had excellent performance in their work place and this demonstrates that our university programmes are of World Class Standard. In 2007, JKUAT is again participating in the exchange programme. JKUAT students are encouraged to apply through the Coordinator IAESTE – JKUAT Programme. IAESTE is really a body that is ran by students and those applying should be registered with the IAESTE Students Club. Further, each student who is successful in getting an international placement caters for his or her travel abroad and for health insurance cover. Successful students also pay a fee of KSh. 5,000 to JKUAT. The employer pays an amount that should be sufficient to cover accommodation and travel from work place to the hostel. In addition the host IAESTE Committee assists the outgoing students get affordable accommodation and arranges visits and cultural programme for incoming students.