Mr. Nderitu Gachagwa, Nyeri Governor receives first hand info on rice research project from Ms Rashid Mwashasha
The 2013 Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) organized Central Kenya Show opened its doors to the public Wednesday, September 11, 2013 with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) stamping its unassailable lead that saw the University clinch all top prizes in all the 12 competitive categories that attracted other contestants drawn from the public and private sector in Kenya. The ASK panel of judges declared JKUAT as “The Best Innovation and Invention Stand” as well as “ The Best stand in Development Research Institution.”
In addition, JKUAT emerged victor as the “Best Engineering Institution of Higher Learning,” the Most Striking Display Large Stand”, “Best University Stand”, “Best Agricultural and Earth Moving Institution”, “the Best Institution in Developing Advanced Technologies.” The University also grabbed the first position in the Agricultural Statutory Board among others.
Area Governor Mr. Nderitu Gachagwa has invited JKUAT to share its novelties with the county as part of the county’s strategy to empower the youth and women. Speaking at the JKUAT stand, the Governor pledged to support JKUAT in initiating a collaboration with Nyeri County to focus on extension and technology transfer to Nyeri residents. He asked the University to utilize the demonstration farm at the show ground to train farmers in an attempt to enhance the county’s horticultural potential.
The University’s impressive performance can be attributed to its entrenched culture of research and innovation that has placed the University above its peers. Indeed, a number of ground breaking research outputs undertaken by students and faculty in various disciplines are on display at the Nyeri-Karubuini Show ground.
The Department of Food Science and Technology has become a crowd puller with its natural products developed from indigenous plants, while the departments of Horticulture and ICT offer a variety of technologies that resonated well with a majority of the show goers. An Institute of Energy and Environment Technology based researcher Dr. Paul Njogu, is exhibiting a brand new and promising technology that is likely to address plastic waste nuisance through the development of the Pyroytic Reactor capable of processing the plastic waste into useful energy sources.
Eager to learn: students from Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls arrive at the JKUAT stand.
Besides the cutting edge innovations, JKUAT programmes are the most sought after by those visiting the stand and eager to quench their thirst for University education, at least going by our survey. The diverse academic programmes in agriculture, engineering, health sciences, applied sciences, built environment and social sciences has made JKUAT stand a one-stop shop for high school students and parents.
The fete, expected to be officially opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta, comes to an end Saturday, September 14, 2013.