MONTHLY BULLETIN DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE

In this issue
1. Climbing the mountain for the 4th time
2. DeKUT emerges 3rd in the JKUAT Tech Expo
MOTTO 3. 1st Student leaders election under the new constitution
4. Hitting the ground running – that’s DeKUT 2nd Council
Better Life 5. DeKUT Medical Centre going an extra mile
6. “It is important to plant trees around sewers” – DeKUT Chemistry Club
Through Technology
7. The 3rd Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference
8. Venturing into biomedical engineering – DeKUT hosts the 2nd conference on asset
management of health care system
VISION STATEMENT
9. It’s time to play – DeKUT hosts KUSA National Games, the 6th Edition
A Premier Technological
Climbing the mountain – “Climb to Educate”
University Excelling in
Quality Education,
Research, and Technology
Transfer for national
development.

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide academically
stimulating, culturally
diverse and quality
learning environment that
fosters research, innovation
and technology DeKUT continues to promote integration and cohesion while celebrating the diverse
development towards cultures and talents in the fraternity. The climbing dubbed “Climb to Educate” is an
producing relevant annual activity which started in 2015 towards building an endowment fund
technical and managerial https://endowmentfund.dkut.ac.ke/ as well as enhancing cohesion among students
human resource and and staff and celebrating talents. DeKUT has been conquering different territories
leaders to contribute to and conquering the mountain has become one of those activities we are all excited
attainment of national about each year; it’s our culture now. During the fourth edition, both the staff and
development goals. students took part as is the norm.
JKUAT Tech Expo
Rona Kiura, Grace Mawia and Margaret Nduta are 3rd year
Quote of the month students pursuing B. Sc Food Science and Technology in the
"A leader’s courage to Institute of Food Bioresources Technology. The three ladies
fulfill his vision comes represented the University the University during the 2017
from passion, not position", JKUAT Tech expo. The young researchers have added value
John Maxwell to the bamboo plant by using its sprouts powder to produce
yoghurt enriched with numerous health benefits associated
with the plant: improved digestion due to the high fiber,
boosting the immune system, reduced inflammation, helping
in weight loss among others. The team came in third. DeKUT
is proud that the spirit of research is growing among the
Page 1 students and staff.
 Students Election
The Universities across the country are now operating with a new constitution in regards to students leadership.
We are proud that DeKUT students went through the campaign and election process peacefully and the elected
officials were sworn into office on 23rd November, 2017 following a successful DeKUTSO elections held on 17th
November 2017.
The following students were elected as DeKUTSO Council members for the 2017/2018 Academic year:
1. Alexander Wambugu Njeng’a - Chairperson
2. Sandra Kosgey - Vice Chairperson
3. Langat Kipkoech Rogers - Secretary General
4. Purity Gakonyo Matheri - Gender and Disability
Mainstreaming Secretary
5. Njoroge Diana E. Wambui - Treasurer
6. Bony Gitonga - Sports, Entertainment and Security Secretary
7. Paul Kiprop Kipkore - Campuses’ Secretary
We wish them well as they represent the students and nurture leadership skills.

Hitting the ground running – Checking Projects Progress

Despite the economic and demographic factors that indicate challenging times ahead for higher education,
DeKUT development projects are ongoing. DeKUT’s 2nd council which took the mantle officially on 3rd April,
2017 is working tirelessly, together with the University management, to see to it that the University thrives
amidst all factors. The ongoing projects are towards ensuring that learning and operation facilities are available
for ease of work and enhanced quality of delivery. Page 2
 Free Tuberculosis Screening
DeKUT has been keen on provision of health care to clients in the most humane manner through the
University’s medical centre. Besides general services and initiatives towards control and spread of HIV and AIDS
through preventive and curative methods, DeKUT Medical Centre in collaboration with the TB program
through Global Fund, carried out a Free TB Screening for students, members of staff and their dependants at
the University from 4th to 8th December, 2017 (8am - 5pm) outside the medical centre as a start in improving
and diversifying the available health services. Through the collaborative activities and linkages with the
government and non-governmental agencies in the health sector, the medical department has achieved
provision of healthcare services that are accessible and valuable to the university community.
It is important to plant trees along sewage treatment sites

“The central role of wastewater management is sustainable development. Chemistry points out that a
staggering 70 to 90 percent of all wastewater generated is discharged directly or indirectly into surface-water
bodies either through surface runoff and leaching, where it poses hazards to human health and the
environment. According to chemistry, trees grown in wastewater will sequester carbon from the atmosphere.
Developing ‘green belts’ around cities with forest trees under wastewater irrigation will also help revive the
ecological balance and improve the environment. The researchers (chemists) term these agroforestry systems
‘High Transpiration Rate Systems (HRTS)’ for the treatment of wastewater. Adoption of agro-forestry systems
further reduce the farmer’s direct contact with and exposure to sewage, and carbon sequestration. Planting
trees along sewage treatment site also help reduce levels of toxic chemicals and heavy metals in sewage that
ultimately falls into the surface water”, explains the young chemists.
Ensuring a Sustainable and Conducive Environment being one of the objectives of Dedan Kimathi University
Chemistry club by reducing and preventing environmental pollution, the club carried out a tree planting
exercise along the University’s sewers.
The 3rd Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (STI & E) Conference
DeKUT is keen on Research, Innovation and Technology
Transfer and looks to build on this towards contributing to
National Development. Collaborating and interacting
with the industry players and experts is one of the best
ways DeKUT has expanded its research and innovation
capacity. This conference whose theme was "Harnessing
Science, Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship for
Sustainable Development” took us a step further in the
agenda. The Chief guests were Eng. John Tanui, CEO
Konza Technopolis Development Authority and H.E
Page 3 Wahome Gakuru, the late Governor Nyeri County.
 The 2nd conference on asset management of health
DeKUT, in August 2016, made a milestone achievement by winning funding from Belgium’s
Flemish Inter University Council (VLIR-UOS) for teaching and research enhancement in Masters
in Industrial Engineering, in collaboration with the University of Leuven, Belgium. The funded
proposal is titled “Capacity enhancement for teaching, research and extension for management
of critical medical devices at public hospitals in Kenya”. The purpose of the funded project is to
facilitate capacity building through exchange of staff and students from the two Universities and
Technology Transfer in Bio-medical Engineering. Through the VLIR funding, DeKUT in
conjunction with The University of KU Leuven, Belgium hosted the 2nd two - days capacity
4th Quarter Newsletter
building workshop (7th and 8th November, 2017) for Medical and Engineering staff on the asset
management of health care equipment. The first of its kind was held on 20th and 21st December
2016.The key speaker was Prof. Walter Sermeus from University of Leuven, Belgium. This is
towards improving the country’s healthcare system.
DeKUT hosts KUSA National Games, the 6th Edition

Sports is not just about dressing up and showing up at the field for a friendly match or a
competition. It’s much more! Dedan Kimathi University of Technology was privileged to host the
6th edition of KUSA games that were held from 17th -20th December, 2017 and participants
came from 24 Universities in the country. The games were launched officially by the governor
of Nyeri County H.E Mutahi Kahiga, who was the chief guest.
We realize that sporting activities contribute immensely to holistic development of a
student/person and it is for this reason that we support KUSA in the initiative to bring all
University Students together for healthy competitions. During this 6th Edition of the games,
Goalball, a game for the visually impaired was launched.

2018 Events
Intakes – January, May and September
7th Graduation Ceremony – 27th April, 2018
National Music Festivals (hosting) – August
3rd DeKUT Endowment Fund Golf Tournament
4th Science, Technology, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Conference – 7th to 9th November
Climb to Educate – 5th Edition

HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS 2018!

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