World Bank Donates Ultra-Modern Equipment to University of Nairobi's Civil & Construction Engineering Department
The World Bank, in collaboration with the State Department for Roads under the Ministry of Roads and Transport, donated state-of-the-art equipment worth 531 million Kenya Shillings to the Department of Civil and Construction Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nairobi. This significant investment falls under the East African Regional Trade and Development Facilitation Project (EARTTDFP), which aims to improve the movement of people and goods, digital connectivity and access to social services for communities.
The University of Nairobi was selected as the leading institution to produce the expertise required for the project and the country's infrastructural growth. To mark this milestone, a delegation from the World Bank and the Ministry of Roads and Transport paid a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson, on March 6, 2025. During the visit, the delegation toured the Civil Engineering laboratories to witness the new equipment in use and interacted with students and faculty members.
Leading the World Bank delegation was Dr. Suleiman Namara, the Practice Manager for Social Protection and Jobs for East and Southern Africa. Eng. James Theuri, the Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Roads and Transport, headed the ministry’s delegation. Other notable attendees included the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Siphila Mumenya, and Chairpersons of various engineering departments.
Dr. Suleiman Namara emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing research and bridging the gap between academia and industry. He highlighted the World Bank’s commitment to fostering industry-academia linkages, ensuring that students gain firsthand exposure to industry developments and practical applications of their knowledge.“The World Bank supports industry-academia linkages that will expose the student to what is happening on the ground,” he said.
Eng. James Theuri expressed the Ministry’s intention to partner with the University of Nairobi in establishing an Institute of Transport Studies to enhance research and development in the sector. He noted that the ministry has collaborated with the university for over two decades through the Kenya Urban Mobility Improvement Project, making the creation of a specialized institute essential for training professionals in the ever-evolving transport industry.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Margaret Hutchinson extended her gratitude to the government for its foresight and commended the World Bank as a strategic partner in elevating the university’s global competitiveness and societal impact. She emphasized that the advanced training infrastructure would not only improve student learning outcomes but also promote inclusivity in technical education.
With this latest development, the University of Nairobi continues to position itself as a leader in engineering education, driving innovation and producing highly skilled graduates to meet the demands of the evolving transport and infrastructure landscape.
