Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on January 27, 2025, hosted internationally acclaimed German structural engineer Prof. Mike Schlaich for a public lecture that introduced students to the world-class bridge blueprints and global social responsibility of engineering.
Schlaich, a professor at the Technical University of Berlin and a long-serving partner at the global engineering firm Schlaich Bergermann Partner (sbp), was received at the university’s Innovation Prototyping Integrated Centre (IPIC).
The lecture drew staff and students from the College of Engineering and Technology (COETEC), reflecting the growing need for cross-disciplinary thinking in infrastructure development.
The session focused on responsible bridge and structural design — an approach that emphasizes necessity, sustainability, and long-term value to communities.
Drawing from decades of international practice, Prof. Schlaich shared insights from projects undertaken by Schlaich Bergermann Partner, a firm founded in 1980 by the late Prof. Jörg Schlaich and Rudolf Bergermann and known for its innovative work in bridges, stadiums, towers, and lightweight structures across Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Using real-world case studies, Prof. Schlaich demonstrated how creative engineering can respond to complex technical and environmental demands. He highlighted the Ting Kau Bridge in Hong Kong as an example of efficient and elegant structural design, and discussed the Signature Bridge over the Yamuna River in New Delhi, India, illustrating the scale and coordination required in modern infrastructure projects.
Beyond bridges, he reflected on large-span stadium and roof structures developed in regions such as South Africa and the Middle East, where engineers were required to balance strength, material efficiency, sustainability, and climatic considerations.
Prof. Schlaich challenged conventional thinking about infrastructure development. He urged upcoming engineers to question whether a structure is truly necessary and to evaluate the value it brings to the people it serves. Engineering, he emphasized, must respond to real social needs rather than exist as an end in itself.
A key theme of the lecture was sustainability through responsible material use. Prof. Schlaich encouraged the adoption of locally available materials wherever possible, noting that this approach reduces environmental impact, supports local economies, and produces solutions better suited to their surroundings. He also introduced students to emerging innovations in structural engineering, including advanced composite materials being explored to improve durability and reduce long-term maintenance demands.
The presentation also explored different bridge typologies, including pedestrian and railway bridges, drawing lessons from railway infrastructure projects in Germany, where safety, efficiency, and lifecycle performance guide design decisions.
Ethics featured prominently throughout the discussion. Prof. Schlaich underscored that engineer shold a long-term responsibility to society, especially when designing structures expected to serve communities for generations. Balancing functionality, beauty, cost, and sustainability, he said, is a defining challenge of modern engineering.
As a member of the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE), Prof. Schlaich shared international standards and best practices, prompting thoughtful questions from students on how responsible design principles could be adapted to Kenya’s infrastructure needs.
The Acting Principal, COETEC, Mr. Onesmus Muvengei, thanked Prof. Schlaich for sharing his expertise, noting that such engagements strengthen JKUAT’s position as a leading center for engineering education in Kenya.
