The 5th International Engineering Conference 2023, hosted by the Faculty of Engineering was an extraordinary gathering of industry experts, researchers, and students from various corners of the globe. The theme of this year's conference, "Harnessing Research in Engineering for Resilience and Sustainability," set the stage for thought-provoking discussions, knowledge sharing, and a remarkable fusion of engineering brilliance. Held on October 26th and 27th, 2023, the conference was part of the 6th Edition University of Nairobi Research week.

The conference aimed to propel research output towards promoting community resilience in various sectors of the economy. Researchers, innovators, industry experts, entrepreneurs, and students from all around the world gathered to exchange ideas and experiences. The sub-themes included biological production systems, geospatial engineering, civil engineering, and electrical, electronic, and information engineering, with an emphasis on sustainability and resilience at every step.

Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, delivered the opening remarks. She emphasized the University's dedication to building an Engineering and Science complex to develop cutting-edge research and address global challenges related to resilience and sustainability. Prof. Hutchinson encouraged researchers, staff, and students to present research findings that contribute to addressing global challenges and promote networking and knowledge exchange among participants.

Dr. John Obiero, the Conference Chair & Coordinator, set the tone for the conference with his welcome remarks, highlighting the Faculty of Engineering’s commitment to addressing societal challenges through industry-linked research. These sentiments were echoed by Associate Dean Dr. Thomas Mbuya, emphasizing the importance of research adoption in industry.

Throughout the conference, diverse thematic areas were explored, including Innovations & Data in Engineering and Manufacturing, Water Resources and Hydroclimatic Disaster Management, Land Use/Land Cover and Ecosystems, and Agriculture and Food Security.

Keynote Addresses: Shaping the Future of Engineering

The conference featured keynote addresses from prominent engineers and scientists from around the world, including:

• Eng. Fredrick Madaraka Mwema, from Northumbria University, UK
• Prof. Benjamin Agyei-Tuffour from University of Ghana
• Eng. Michael Bodunrin, University of the Witwatersrand
• Dr. Kibret Mequanint from the University of Western Ontario, Canada
• Prof. Lesley Cornish of the University of Witwatersrand
• Prof. Philippa Reed from the University of Southampton, UK
• Prof. Mike Otieno, University of the Witwatersrand
• Dr. Emily Kumpel, University of Massachusetts USA
• E Nandakumar from International Centre for Clean Water, India

In addition to the keynote addresses and mini lectures, the conference also featured a number of paper presentations on a variety of topics related to the conference theme. About 20 papers were presented during the 2 day conference.

The 5th International Engineering Conference 2023 was a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation in engineering. It demonstrated that engineering is not just a field of study but a driving force for creating a resilient and sustainable future. With researchers, industry experts, and students coming together to share knowledge and experiences, this conference reaffirmed the pivotal role engineering plays in addressing global challenges. As we reflect on the insights shared at this event, it is evident that the path to a sustainable and resilient future is illuminated by the brilliance of engineering minds.