AsianScientist (Feb. 27, 2019) – Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), South Korea, has been appointed to provide Kenya with education consultancy for the establishment of Kenya’s first advanced science and technology institute.
During a kickoff ceremony on February 12, 2019 in Kenya, the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), Kenya, and KAIST announced the official establishment of Kenya-KAIST by 2021. The KAIST delegation headed by President Shin Sung-Chul attended the ceremony with Kenyan cabinet members and dignitaries, including Kenyan minister of education Ms. Amina Mohamed, the chairman of KoTDA Dr. Reuben Mutiso, and the CEO of KoTDA Mr. John Tanui attended the ceremony.
KAIST will develop academic curricula for six initial departments, namely mechanical engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, information and communication technology engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering and agricultural biotechnology. These departments will lay the groundwork for engineering research and education in Kenya to meet emerging socioeconomic demands. In addition, KAIST will provide education in the basic science areas of math, physics, chemistry and biology for students.
In addition, Korea Eximbank will offer a US$95 million economic development cooperation fund loan to the Kenyan government. The campus will be constructed in the Konza Techno City located near Nairobi by 2021, with the first batch of 200 graduate students starting classes in 2022.
“With this Kenya project, we come to share the past, present and future of KAIST. I am very pleased to celebrate our shared vision: the empowerment of science, technology, and education,” said Shin.
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Source: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.
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