Fifteen participants drawn from various institutions across Africa, including Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Rwanda, and Kenya, have completed a five-day Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) workshop at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The training began on May 19, 2025.
Hosted by the Department of Chemistry, the workshop was organized by the Pan Africa Chemistry Network (PACN) with support from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The training aimed to equip participants with the skills required to identify safety hazards such as gas leaks, high levels of combustible gases, and other dangerous chemicals that pose risks to personnel and workspaces.
Speaking during the official launch of the training, Dr. Eng. Hiram Nderitu, Principal of the College of Engineering and Technology (COETEC), who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Ngumi, welcomed all the participants and reaffirmed the University’s long-standing collaboration with the Pan Africa Chemistry Network and the Royal Society of Chemistry.
He highlighted the importance of the partnership in enabling the university to consistently deliver high quality analytical training to scientists from across the African continent.
“Your participation reflects the regional impact and the growing network of chemical science professionals who are dedicated to solving real world problems through analytical chemistry. It is my hope that you will take full advantage of the wealth of experience and exposure from the facilitators,” said Dr. Eng. Nderitu.
Prof. Antony Waititu, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, encouraged the participants to actively collaborate with the sponsors and engage with each other throughout the training.
“We are very delighted as a School to host this training. I know you will gain the knowledge required by the end of the program, and beyond just learning, you will also be able to educate one another during the sessions,” said Prof. Waititu.
One of the trainees, Antony Gitonga, a researcher at JKUAT, expressed his enthusiasm for the training, which he believes will be instrumental in addressing chemical-related challenges in his community and across the continent.
“As an expert in emerging contaminants, I am eager to enhance my analytical skills, stay updated with the latest technologies, complement my experience in liquid chromatography, and improve my professional competencies in the field of chemical science,” said Gitonga.
