JKUAT and EBARA Corporation Collaborate to Enhance Engineering Students’ Practical Skills – Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

*Mr Samuel Kibet, branch Manager of EBARA East Africa, explains to the students the dynamics of the turbo pump.*

In today’s world, it has become imperative to reinforce theoretical knowledge with crucial insights into real-world applications, ultimately better preparing students for professional challenges.

In line with this, the School of Biosystems and Environmental Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) held a two-day training session on November 12th and 13th, 2024, in collaboration with a team from EBARA.

The corporation, based in Tokyo, Japan, is a global leader in pump technology and one of the top manufacturers of pumps worldwide. The company plays a leading role in sectors related to water, air, and the environment, with a strong focus on meeting the needs of both customers and society.

The training event, part of EBARA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, aimed to equip engineering students with essential knowledge about pump technology, including the fundamentals of pumps, their engineering applications, and the environments where pumps operate.

*Mr. Noritomi takes the students through the background history of the company.*

It focused on helping students understand the dynamics of pumps, specifically turbo pumps, and provided them with an opportunity to interact directly with the equipment. Participants were taken through the basic principles of pumps, engineering applications, and the operations of turbopumps.

During the opening of the event, Dr. Eng. Hiram Nderitu, the Principal of the College of Engineering and Technology (COETEC), emphasized the significance of the event for the students. He acknowledged Prof. Hiroshi Koaze from JICA, who was instrumental in linking JKUAT with EBARA for this initiative.

The principal, COETEC also expressed gratitude to EBARA Pumps East Africa for their support in training students at JKUAT, urging the students to engage with industry professionals and apply the knowledge gained in their coursework to real-world situations.

Mr. Daisuke Noritimi, the General Manager for East Africa at EBARA, shared the company’s goal of delivering clean water to 600 million people by 2030.

*Dr. Eng Hiram Nderitu , Principal COETEC urged the students to network with the professionals.*

He explained that by training students, EBARA is building a future workforce skilled in pump technology, potentially inspiring them to work with the company to help achieve this ambitious goal.

The General Manager further said that the training is designed to prepare students, particularly those interested in working in pump-related industries for the challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Keane Mutuku, a fifth-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, shared his experience lauding the impact of the training.

“This is the second EBARA training I am attending. It helps me learn more about pump technology and relate my classwork to the real world. I encourage my colleagues to seize opportunities to attend such training whenever they arise,” he said.

Mr. Samuel Kibet, Branch Manager of EBARA East Africa and an alumnus of JKUAT, offered advice to the students urging them to develop their skills as they play a significant role in their careers.

“Attending these trainings is a great networking opportunity. Finally, remember that there are numerous opportunities available; you just need to be observant and proactive in seeking them out,” Mr. Kibet observed.