Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)’s Department of Physics, in collaboration with Climate Connection from the Netherlands, organized a two-day training for students. The training sought to equip physics students with the analytical and practical tools necessary to address one of the world’s most pressing issues, climate change.
The training held on Monday, February 3, 2025 aimed to address issues revolving around the areas of renewable energy, carbon removal, circularity, carbon removal and e-mobility.
It also raised awareness about the causes and consequences of climate change, along with potential solutions and opportunities to mitigate its impacts.
Climate connection a Netherlands based organization focuses in addressing climate change and its impact and is keen on raising awareness, advocating for sustainable policies, and implementing solutions to mitigate effects of global warming.
Speaking during the training, the project lead, Dr. Churchill Saoke said that the training program integrates core physics principles with environmental science, data analysis, and computational modeling to help students analyze climate patterns and develop innovative solutions.
Dr. Saoke explained that the training included hands-on lab experiments, field research, and collaboration with climate
scientists, giving students real-world experience in understanding climate dynamics and their implications.
“Physics plays a crucial role in understanding climate change, from analyzing greenhouse gas effects to predicting weather patterns. By training students in these areas, we are preparing the next generation of scientists to develop solutions for a sustainable future,” said Dr. Saoke.
The lead trainer from Climate Connection, Ms. Marjon Castelijns, encouraged students to attend such training programs, as many offer internship opportunities with top environmental organizations, government agencies, and research institutes, allowing students to work alongside professionals addressing climate change.
“This initiative is timely, as universities globally are recognizing the need for cross-disciplinary education to tackle climate change. Training the next generation of scientists to understand and mitigate global warming isn’t just academic it’s a societal necessity. Our goal is to prepare students to be leaders in a world that requires innovative solutions to environmental challenges,” Ms. Castelijns.
Ms. Jane Karanja, a Master’s student in Physics who enrolled in the program, expressed her excitement, stating that the training has been an eye-opener in how physics can be applied to address environmental issues. “It’s empowering to know that the skills we develop here can make a real difference.”
