A Kenyatta University,Cisco Networking Academy student who has put Kenya on the continental map in a global computer networking challenge will fly the country’s flag in a five-day study trip to the United States which will start this Saturday.Charles Mutua, 23,a KU Cisco Networking Academy,Bsc Computer Science and Physics finalist, emerged the first runners-up among African entrants in a networking competition by American computer accessories company Cisco.An information technology expert from Morocco, Hamza Jebbour, emerged the best among 20 entrants drawn from African countries in the 2017 edition of the yearly competition dubbed Netriders.

VISIT US
Mr David Brunei, the Cisco manager in charge of the East Africa market, has confirmed that they will fly the two and the other ten finalists who are drawn from across the world to the United States “to learn from the best technology companies in the world”.“The two competed with over 15,400 entrants globally to win a study trip prize to Cisco headquarters in San Jose, United States,” Mr Brunei said.The finalists will also visit the Stanford University, the headquarters of Google and Facebook.Cisco has made all travel and accommodation arrangements already, Mr Brunei confirmed.During an exclusive interview with Nation at their home in Wote, Makueni County on Monday, Mr Mutua was upbeat about the weekend trip.

FIRST TIME
“This is the first time that I’ll be travelling out of the country and this partly explains the excitement,” said the second born in a family of three who was flanked by his mother, Ms Florence Nzioka.“We expect to meet and interact with high level engineers of the various technology giants who will share about their daily experiences interacting with networking devices, developing and implementing new networking solutions,” said Mr Mutua.The three-phase competition entailed designing and configuring a computer network in a real life situation and remotely presenting the work in a panel of industry players through teleconferencing.Mr Mutua hopes that the exposure will help him refine his career path as he prepares to enter the job world.

Story Adopted from Daily Nation TUESDAY JANUARY 2 2018

Kenyatta University Chancellor Dr. Benson Wairegi with the acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina confer Patricia Wacheke Kungu with Doctor of philosophy in Strategic Management during the University's 43rd graduation ceremony held at the main campus off Thika superhighway on 15th December. Over 4,300 graduands were awarded various certificates.

Kenyatta University Doctorate recipients swear the KU alumni oath during the 43rd graduation held at the main campus off Thika superhighway on 15th December.		Kenyatta University acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina and the Chancellor Dr. Benson Wairegi lead the Chancellors procession during the 43rd graduation ceremony held at the main campus off Thika superhighway.
Kenyatta University students celebrate and throw their caps in exaltation after graduating during the 43rd graduation ceremony held at the main campus off Thika superhighway.

Delegates listen in to proceedings during the official opening of the UBORA Biomedical Engineering Design School at the Kenyatta University Business Services and Students Centre.

Dr. June Madete, UBORA Co-ordinator, Kenyatta University gives her remarks during the official opening of the UBORA Biomedical Engineering Design School at the Kenyatta University Business Services and Students Centre.

Dr. Kassim Nwuke from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa gives his remarks during the official opening of the UBORA Biomedical Engineering Design School at the Kenyatta University Business Services and Students Centre.

Eng. Martin Nzomo, Dean Kenyatta University School of Engineering and Technology addresses delegates during the official opening of the UBORA Biomedical Engineering Design School at the Kenyatta University Business Services and Students Centre.

Prof. Paul K. Wainaina, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University and Chief guest at the event delivers his speech to delegates during the official opening of the UBORA Biomedical Engineering Design School at the Kenyatta University Business Services and Students Centre.

KENYATTA UNIVERSITY EMBRACES GREEN ENERGY IN Ksh1.2Bn SOLAR PROJECT

Kenyatta University has successfully completed a Pilot Solar Module Plant at the main campus in Nairobi along the busy Thika Superhighway intended to meet part of the university’s growing power needs.

The pilot project was commissioned early this week by Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter alongside his French counterpart, Mr. Nicolas Hulot, Minister of Ecological and Inclusive Transition. Also in attendance was Mr. Arnaud Mine, Urbasolar President and mr. Antoine Sivan, the French Ambassador to Kenya. Mr. Keter hailed KU for being the first University in Kenya to launch a solar project that will supplement the University power needs." I hope that other Universities will pay attention and go in the same direction as KU,"he said.

For his part, KU acting Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Wainaina revealed that a Centre of Excellence in Energy Studies will be operationalized at Kenyatta University early next year to cater for solar power training needs of the country. He said: "We feel greatly honored and privileged to have this plant which will go a long way in supplying some power to the university."

The pilot project has a capacity of 100 kilowatts and is funded by the French government in partnership with French solar solutions provider, Urbasolar at a cost of KSh17 million.

The viability demonstration is expected to pave way for an even bigger second phase of the project - a 10MW solar park to be financed to the tune of KSh1.2 billion.

When completed, the project will set KU apart as the first public learning institution in Kenya to produce and connect solar power to the national grid. Through a Memorandum of Understanding that was signed between the French Government and KU, the French government agreed to take part in the feasibility studies of the project which will also allow KPLC to improve reliability and quality of electricity distribution in Kenya.

Mr. Nicholas Hulot the French Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition signs the visitor's book at Kenyatta University Vice Chancellor's Office after paying a courtesy call to the Vice Chancellor during the commissioning ​of the​ pilot Solar Plant at Kenyatta University main campus. Looking on is Prof. Paul K. Wainaina, Acting Vice-Chancellor Kenyatta University.

Charles Keter, Cabinet Secretary, Energy and Petroleum (L) and Mr. Nicholas Hulot the French Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition (M) cut the ribbon to commission a pilot Solar Plant at Kenyatta University main campus. Looking on is Prof. Paul K. Wainaina, Acting Vice-Chancellor Kenyatta University (2nd Row middle).

Hon. Charles Keter, Cabinet Secretary, Energy and Petroleum addresses attendees during the commissioning ​of the​ pilot Solar Plant at Kenyatta University main campus.