Nairobi’s growing infrastructure demands are placing new pressure on the engineers who design, build, and sustain the city. On January 9, 2026, the spotlight turned to that next generation as 10 students from the University of Nairobi’s Faculty of Engineering were named inaugural beneficiaries of the Future Urban Builders Scholarship.

The award ceremony, held at the Confucius Institute, University of Nairobi, saw a total of 30 students—10 from Engineering and 20 from the Faculty of Built Environment and Design—receive scholarships established by the Chinese Property Developers Association Kenya (KCDA). The programme targets students whose training is central to Kenya’s urban and infrastructure transformation.

To strengthen the initiative, KCDA also presented a KShs 2 million cheque to the University of Nairobi. Deputy Vice Chancellor (Finance, Planning and Develoment) Prof. Jackson Maalu received the donation on behalf of the University to support the scholarship fund and the welfare of needy students.

For the engineering students, the scholarship offers more than tuition support. It provides breathing room to concentrate on demanding technical programmes while opening pathways to industry exposure and international construction standards. KCDA Chairperson Mr. Zhang Jiaping described the award as a responsibility entrusted to students who will help raise construction quality and promote sustainable development in Kenya.

Presenting the students, Prof. Siphila Mumenya, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, emphasized the role engineers must play in solving Nairobi’s persistent challenges, from drainage and transport systems to integrated urban services. He noted that today’s engineers must think beyond isolated projects and design infrastructure that works as a complete system.

The event also highlighted the broader Sino-Kenyan academic partnership. Prof. Wang Shangxue, Director of the Confucius Institute at UoN, noted that the collaboration has already supported more than 239 Kenyans through academic and professional exchanges with China, calling the new scholarship a strategic expansion focused on urban development professionals.

A panel discussion titled “Youth Ingenuity Building Dreams of a Beautiful City” closed the ceremony, with speakers urging students to adopt long-term planning approaches and embrace innovation in managing rapid urban growth.

For the 10 engineering scholarship recipients, the award signals both opportunity and expectation—backing their education while positioning them at the centre of Kenya’s future infrastructure solutions.