Setting Trends in Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Agritech News UpdateA Newsletter from the office of the Vice Chancellor

By Stephen Wakhu

Culinary enthusiasts were spoilt for choice at the inaugural food expo held at the University, July 28,

2016. The Expo saw five exhibitors from

Mount Kenya University, the University of Nairobi, JKUAT Nissin, and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, showcase different recipes of noodles. The two-day expo organised by

JKUAT Nissin Foods Ltd, saw over 1000 staff and students sample different noodle recipes as they voted for their favourite.

Mount Kenya University team dubbed, “One Family” served noodles and beef carbonnade, the University of Nairobi team going by the name, “Teriyaki Chicken” served noodles and Teriyaki Chicken, JKUAT Nissin team prepared noodle hotdogs, while JKUAT had two teams christened “Penta Friends” and “The Champs” who served noodles and stir-fried chicken, noodles and minced meat respectively.

While all the stands were teeming with hungry staff and students, “Penta Friends” emerged with the best recipe as voted by the expo participants. JKUAT Nissin Foods Ltd, Director, Prof. Simon Muhoho, said they are promoting the uptake of the noodles due to their nutrition and health benefits.

JKUAT Nissin Foods Ltd is planning to make the expo an annual event and will invite more food exhibitors to showcase different healthy noodles recipes epitomizing their slogan, “Mlo Halisi ”

JKUAT Nissin Foods Inaugural Food Expo

Issue 11 JULY – AUGUST 2016 VOLUME 09

Mlo Halisi! Students enjoy JKUAT-Nissin Noodles Meal.

Cricket meal and value added delicacies.

Cutting edge Innovations at 2016 ASK ShowsBy Patrick Amunavi

The University will this year, make another stab at the Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) organized

Shows and Exhibitions scheduled for September 14 – 17 in Central Kenya, Nyeri, Kabiru-ini showground, as well as the Nairobi International Trade Fair (Jamhuri) which kicks off on September, 26 to October 2.

The JKUAT team comprising of a formidable blend of seasoned and young researchers and innovators, is expected to showcase various cutting edge innovations which have become the touchstone of JKUAT’s innovative culture.

Some of the innovations expected to

Upcoming Events

• Open Day: September 9 (JKUAT Main Campus).

• The Central Kenya ASK National Show: September 14 – 17 (Nyeri Kabiruini Show Ground).

• Nairobi International Trade Fair: September 26 – October 2 (Jamhuri Show Park).

• The Scientific Conference: November 10 – 11 (JKUAT Main Campus).

• The Eastern Africa Universities Games: December 16 – 21 (JKUAT).

• Graduation Ceremony: November 25 (JKUAT Main Campus).

headline the University Stand in Nyeri and Jamhuri grounds include an array of products which include the Cricket edible insects’ food and feed; utilization of under-exploited fruit and food crops such as the black plum, guava, Tamarind, Pawpaw, Baobab, Pumpkin and Water melon; disease diagnostics for sustainable cassava productivity; in vitro multiplication of new

Continued to page. 2

2 Agritech News Update | July - August 2016

Vice Chancellor explains how the customized Taifa Laptop works to the new students.

JKUAT Papaya hybrids, and Indigenous vegetables.

Other innovations are: The electric powered multi grater machine, multi juice machine for fruit pulping industry, steam powered stove, automatic pressurized stove, automatic vacuum cleaner, the digital power distribution system, capillary wick based landless gardens, cellphone voting system, application of high-tech magnetic geophysical method for iron ore exploration among others

By Cavince Adhere

An instant noodles production line capable of rolling out 150 packs per minute will be operational at

JKUAT by December 2017. The facility which is an offshoot of collaboration between Nissin Foods Holdings of Japan and JKUAT will boost supply of locally flavoured noodles to the Kenyan market.

The factory whose construction shall be fully funded by Nissin Foods Holdings, will be owned and managed by JKUAT, once operational. It is expected to give impetus to sorghum farming in Kenya as the commodity is a key input in the manufacture of noodles.

JKUAT intends to leverage on locally available resources and flavours to produce tailor-made noodles for the local

market.

Currently, the two entities run JKUAT Nissin Foods Ltd, a joint venture company that has made significant inroads in the noodles market since inception in 2013. The company currently controls 10% of the noodles’ market share in Kenya and produces Nyama choma and chicken flavoured noodles.

Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mabel Imbuga said, besides production of noodles, the facility will also be instrumental in training and research in thematic areas such as engineering and food science.

Nissin Foods Holdings Corporate Planning Division Manager, Tsuyoshi Shiotsu said his organization would extend requisite technical support to help JKUAT establish the production line

New Academic Courses Introduced

Indigenous vegetables

Cassava diagnostic research

Prof. Imbuga (left) and Tsuyoshi exchange partnership documents.

By Patrick Amunavi

The University has introduced seven (7) new academic programmes and admitted the first group of students

Noodles Factory to be Constructed by 2017

under the Kenya Universities Central Placement Services (KUCCPS).

Vice Chancellor Prof. Mabel Imbuga revealed this in August 24, while

addressing new students who reported to JKUAT in August for the 2016/17 academic year that saw the admission of about 4,758 students under KUCCPS.

Prof. Imbuga said the new students were distributed in 88 undergraduate programmes offered in various colleges and faculties. “Out of the 88 programmes, the VC revealed, seven (7) were new innovative, market driven programmes.”

The new programmes are: Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Biological Sciences), Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology, Bachelor of Science (Public Administration and Leadership), Bachelor of Science (Geophysics), Bachelor of Science (Nutraceutical Science and Technology), Bachelor of Science (Renewable Energy and Environmental Physics) and Bachelor of Science (Operational Research)

Continued from page. 1

3Setting Trends in Higher Education, Research and Innovation

Multi-grater Hair Conditioners, Shampoos & Lotions Digital power distribution system

Dr. Mworia Interacts with some of the students.

Kevin Kosgei (left) with other participants at the conference

Varsity Graces Embu Academic Excellence DayBy Stephen Wakhu

Students, teachers and parents swamped Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

exhibition tent to enquire about academic programmes, campuses and study modes during the Embu County Academic Excellence Day held at Kangaru School - Embu.

The annual event running under the banner “Towards World Class Academic Excellence” saw over 10,000 KCSE candidates from Embu County interact with various universities as they deliberated on which academic programmes to pursue.

Speaking to the students, Deputy President, William Ruto encouraged them to pursue technical courses to foster economical and industrial development of the country. He emphasised on the importance of giving education the priority and status it deserves.

“Most of these students are only inquiring about conventionally re-known programmes such as medicine, law, IT and engineering. This platform gives us an opportunity to inform and guide students on other programmes and what cluster points they need to have,” said Registrar, Academic Affairs, Dr. Esther Mworia

By Cavince Adhere

Kelvin Kipkurui Kosgei, a final year Computer Technology student in April 2016, had a

chance to interact with global tech giants and enthusiasts during the 2016 edition of the Facebook Developer Conference. The event held in San Francisco, California, brought together 2000 participants with a third drawn from Africa; giving credence to the increasing interest in the continent by multinational corporations.

Kelvin termed his participation in the event as ‘eye opening,’ as he got to learn about the latest open source technologies and immersive experiences.

The trip was also a critical exposure to see first-hand how his accumulated knowledge applied in real life

Kelvin interacts with Global Tech Giants

4 Agritech News Update | July - August 2016

Agritech News Update

Schools Elect New Deans

Following elections which were held in various Schools for the position of Dean, the following dons were

elected to serve as new Deans for the next period of two years:

§Dr. Shadrack Muya, Dean School of Biological Sciences

§Prof. George Thuku Thiong’o, Dean School of Physical Sciences

§Prof. Peter Mwita, retained the deanship, School of Mathematical Sciences. He went in unopposed

§Prof. John N. Nderu, Dean School of Electrical, Electronics and Information Engineering

EAU Games to Foster InclusivityBy Hellen Ngethe

The 10th Edition of the Eastern Africa University Games scheduled for December 2016

will be the first edition to host Sports for Persons with Disabilities in a competitive format as opposed to demonstration. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) agreed to have both Goal Ball and Sitting Volleyball, as part of the events lined up

Goalball, picture,courtesy Bali Sports Foundation.

Editorial Team: Hindzano Ngonyo (Editor), Patrick Amunavi (Associate Editor), Ogeke Araka, Cavince Adhere and Stephen WakhuAgritech News Update is a monthly Newsletter published by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, Corporate Communications Department.

P.O. Box 62000 - 00200 City Square, Nairobi, KENYA • Tel: +254-67-5870000/1-5 • Email: corp.comm@jkuat.ac.ke • Website: www.jkuat.ac.ke Discover JKUAT • @DiscoverJKUAT

New Professorial and Principals’ Appointments

for competition.

Goalball is a team sport designed for the visually impaired. The game is played in teams of three. Athletes attempt to score by rolling a ball equipped with bells into the opposing team’s goal. The sound of the bells attached to the ball guide defenders who use their bodies to block against these shots. All athletes are required to wear

eyeshades and eye patches to ensure a level playing field.

Sitting volleyball (also known as Paralympic Volleyball) is a form of volleyball for disabled athletes, entered the Paralympic Games as a demonstration sport for amputees in 1976 in Toronto, Canada and played as a medal sport thereafter.

In sitting volleyball, players must have at least one buttock in contact with the floor whenever they make contact with the ball. It is also possible to block the serve and jousts are generally replayed. Athletes with the following disabilities are eligible to compete in sitting volleyball: amputees, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, brain injuries and stroke. There are no athlete classifications by disability.

The main challenge in hosting the disability sports is limited adapted facilities, equipment and trained personnel in the area of adapted sports. However, the LOC is determined to host the competition. The Committee hopes this will help combat stigma placing persons with disabilities in a position where their skills are highlighted

The University Council has promoted twenty three (23) academic staff to the rank of

Professors and Associate Professors, as well as two (2) Principals. Prof. David Mulati Masabule has been appointed the Principal, College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS), while Prof. Jackson K. Kwanza, becomes the Principal of Karen Campus. These appointments come after a competitive and rigorous interview

process conducted by the University Council.

Those promoted to the rank of Professor are six (6), while seventeen (17) are Associate Professors. The Agritech News congratulates all the newly appointed dons and wishes them every success in their new positions. Detailed coverage of these appointments will be carried in the next edition of Agritech News Magazine