In a milestone event that underscores the University of Nairobi's commitment to fostering global academic partnerships, three exceptional students from the Faculty of Engineering have been flagged off to France for a five-month exchange program. The students—Mwawasi Elizabeth, Sandra Arunga, and Anne Makhanu—will engage in cutting-edge research and academic programs at two prestigious French institutions, Ècole des Ponts ParisTech and CentraleSupèlec.

Mwawasi Elizabeth and Sandra Arunga have been admitted to Ècole des Ponts ParisTech, where they will pursue a program in Sustainable and Green Engineering, a field critical to the future of environmentally responsible infrastructure. Meanwhile, Anne Makhanu will join CentraleSupèlec to participate in the 2nd Year Fall Semester Engineering Mobility Program, where her research will focus on the "Energy Efficiency of 5G IoT Networks," a project that holds significant promise for advancing telecommunications technology.

This opportunity was made possible through the Company Series Program, an innovative initiative launched by the Directorate of University Advancement and Institutional Development in October 2023. The program is designed to bridge the gap between industry and academia, fostering closer collaboration between the two. By bringing together industry experts and university students, the program ensures that theoretical knowledge is complemented by practical experience. It was through this initiative that these three students were able to seize the scholarship opportunity that will now take them to France.

During the flag-off ceremony on Friday, August 16, 2024, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Siphila Mumenya, encouraged the students to fully immerse themselves in the experience, urging them to embrace the learning opportunities, achievements, and networking prospects that lie ahead. "This is the software part of the Engineering and Science Complex (ESC), before the hardware that is yet to be built," remarked Prof. Mumenya, highlighting the significance of this exchange program as part of the broader ESC initiative at the University of Nairobi.

Mr. Brian Ouma, the Chief Operations Officer and Director of Advancement and Institutional Development, lauded the students for their remarkable achievements. "These students are from the 2nd cohort of the Company Series Program that we have successfully run through the Faculty of Engineering. This is just one example of how UoN students and staff will benefit from the tripartite Partnership Agreement we signed with the Kenyan and French governments," he said.

The acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof. Ayub Gitau, also addressed the students, challenging them to dream bigger as they embark on this grand opportunity. He emphasized the importance of utilizing this experience to solve global challenges and to serve as brand ambassadors for the University of Nairobi.

The students' mentors, Prof. Kiema and Dr. Siriba, extended their congratulations and urged them to view this exchange as a mentorship opportunity. They encouraged the students to engage deeply with the global challenges they will encounter, to learn, and to bring back valuable insights that can benefit their peers and the broader academic community.

As Mwawasi Elizabeth, Sandra Arunga, and Anne Makhanu prepare to begin their studies in France, they represent not only the University of Nairobi but also the future of engineering innovation in Kenya. This exchange program, part of the larger Engineering and Science Complex (ESC) project, exemplifies the University's dedication to providing its students with unparalleled opportunities to excel on the global stage.