The 3rd Engineering Partnerships Convention aimed at creating meaningful dialogue among various players in the sector by interrogating the engineering regulatory environment kicks off today in Mombasa. The three-day Engineering Partnership Convention 2022 hosted by the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) will feature an impressive cast of resource persons. The convention which has attracted a global audience to deliberate various topics under the broad theme, “Building Back Better – Emerging Issues in Engineering” is expected to attract more than 2000 participants across the globe with the option of attending either virtually or physically.
It brings together policy makers, industry experts, academicians, researchers, trade in services experts and engineers nationally, regionally, and globally to engage on global emerging engineering issues.
While giving his keynote address during the opening of the conference, PS Infrastructure Prof. Arch. Paul Maringa who gave a keynote speech on behalf of Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure, Housing, Urban Development and Public Works James Macharia said,
“Kenya being a member of international and regional partner members has subscribed to various global and intercontinental development commitments. The commitments include the SDGs, African Agenda 2063, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and East Africa Countries (EAC) development goals. Engineers are at the center in designing and implementation of these developmental goals,” he said during his opening remarks that was read by PS Infrastructure Prof. Arch. Paul Maringa.
This year’s theme is premised on four pillars:
- Outcomes-based engineering education in Kenya;
- Opportunities for growth in the liberalization of professional engineering services;
- Kenya’s commitments at COP26 and aligning the engineering practice to mitigating climate change; and
- Safeguarding Public Safety and Welfare in Engineering Services.
“This convention provides a framework to engage on the emerging issues as and innovations to strengthen the impact of those factors that can speed up the development process,” he added.
Eng. Erastus Mwongera, Chairman of Engineers Board of Kenya, who are the organizers of the Convention said, “The Board seeks to bring in global perspectives to the Kenyan engineering value chain which include introducing reforms in engineering education that will transform it to outcomes-based engineering education as well as participating in negotiations of the liberalization of professional engineering services across Africa and the world.”
EPC2022 Aligned to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Convention is also aligned to the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 4: Quality Education – Ensuring that engineering education in Kenya is globally recognised and imparts the engineering skills required for the achievement of Vision 2030.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Ensuring engineering entrepreneurship in the country, region, continent and global arenas contribute to creation of employment, competitiveness, and capacity building of local engineering consulting firms.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – Increased investment in research and development is required to find solutions for crises such as COVID-19. Engineers are required to provide more innovative solutions that are resilient and sustainable in the face of global and national crises. Investment in infrastructure and innovation are crucial drivers of economic growth and development.
SDG 13: Climate Action – ensuring engineers play their part in combating climate change by ensuring their engineering designs are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
SDG 17: Partnerships – Creation of partnerships and combining of resources that will contribute to streamlining engineering education, training and practice and will out Kenya’s engineering value chain on the global map.
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