Collaboration | Collaborations | Community Linkages
1. RCE CENTRAL KENYA
- The Regional Center of Expertise (RCE), Central Kenya hosted by DeKUT was officially acknowledged by United Nations University – Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) on 27th November, 2014.
- RCE, Central Kenya works to promote sustainable development in communities through creating partnerships, networking, sharing of knowledge, capacity building, education and training. The RCE covers Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua and Muranga Counties and draws its partners and stakeholders from government agencies, community based organizations, learning institutions and business enterprises.
2. MURINGATO WRUA
- DeKUT in collaboration with WRMA, Upper Tana Catchment Sub-Regional office in Murang’a initiated the process of establishing a WRUA within the River Muringato Catchment area in January 2014. A Water Resource Users Association (WRUA) is an association of water users, riparian land owners, or other stakeholders who have formally and voluntarily associated for the purposes of cooperatively sharing, managing and conserving water resources within a particular sub catchment area.
- DeKUT is the secretariat to Muringato WRUA management committee
3. Central Kenya National ASK Show
Dedan Kimathi University of Technology successfully participated in the 2014 ASK Central Kenya National Show – Nyeri which was held from 10th to 13th September 2014 at Kabiruini Showground. The theme for the Show was ‘Enhancing Technology in Agriculture and Industry for Food Security and National Growth’
DeKUT hosted a luncheon for the members of the ASK on Thursday, 11th August, 2014. This was an opportunity for the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management to show case its excellence in providing outstanding catering services.
4. Technology Open Day
The University’s Technology Open Day was held on 16th March, 2015. The Chief Guest was the Cabinet Secretary for Information and Technology Dr. Fred Matiang’i. The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, Senator for Nyeri County. During the occasion the chief guest performed the grand opening of the DeKUT DeHUB and launched the DeKUT ICT Strategic plan. The DeHUB is an incubation center. It targets technological innovations and research outputs in the ICT sector. 16 ICT innovations were displayed mainly by students in the School of Computer Science and IT.
5. Regional Centers of Expertise (RCE), Central Kenya
Background
The United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU-IAS) conceived and enabled the launching of the multi-stakeholder, community rooted, global initiative known as Regional Centers of Expertise (RCE) on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) during the UNU-UNESCO International Conference on Globalization and Education for Sustainable Development in June 2005 in Japan.
A Regional Center of Expertise on ESD is a network of existing formal, non-formal and informal education organizations, mobilized to deliver education for sustainable development (ESD) to local and regional communities. An RCE is not a physical center but an institutional mechanism to facilitate shared learning, building linkages among local and regional stakeholders both within and outside the educational community and create alliances capable of addressing sustainability issues relevant to the region through learning and action.
About RCE Central Kenya
The process of establishing RCE Central Kenya began in November, 2011 spearheaded by Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) and National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA). The RCE was officially acknowledged by UNU-IAS on 27th November, 2014. RCE Central Kenya covers Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a and Nyandarua Counties.
The objectives of RCE Central Kenya are;
- To enhance forest conservation and build capacity of local communities in natural resource management.
- To engage in research and development on climate change mitigation, conservation and preservation of biodiversity.
- To provide a pathway for sharing and exchange of information on education for sustainable development(ESD) with focus in central region of Kenya and globally.
- To promote adoption of technologies that strengthen ESD
- To encourage the establishment of a regional information system to document and disseminate best practices and deliver effective ESD to the local community;
Activities and Projects
Climate Change Adaptation Project for Communities in Kieni Sub-County
The purpose of the project was to reduce the vulnerability of local communities to climate change and enhance their skills and adaptation in rainwater harvesting by building their capacity on sustainable management of their water resources through primary and secondary schools and their parent associations/committees.
The project has directly benefited four learning institutions which were used as capacity building and demonstration points; these are DeKUT, Laburra Primary School, Laburra Day Secondary School and Mweiga Adventist Secondary School. Plastic water tanks and gutter systems were installed in these institutions in readiness for roof water harvesting.
Community members, staff and students within these institutions were sensitized on climate change adaptation and mitigation.Project handover ceremony was officiated by Director General NEMA, Prof. Geoffrey Wahungu and DeKUT’s Vice Chancellor DeKUT, Prof. P. Ndirangu Kioni.
The second National Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) conference was held between 8th and 9th April 2015 in Nairobi. The RTMCL division represented sent a staff to represent the Central Kenya RCE participate and present RCE Central Kenya project progress report. The conference was organized by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) on behalf of the Kenyan RCEs Network. The two days conference was held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), in Nairobi. The conference theme was; “RCEs- Supporting Environmental Sustainability”. The conference also included exhibitions by the various RCE stakeholders.
RCE Central Kenya Stakeholders/ Partners
The RCE Central Kenya draws its partners and stakeholders from learning institutions, government agencies, county governments, NGOs and CBOs, business community and individual community members within the region. The RCE works to promote sustainable development in communities through creating partnerships, networking, sharing of knowledge, capacity building, education and training. The RCE has held several stakeholder meetings and workshops to forge way forward in implementation of its activities and it is currently mobilizing and recruiting more members/stakeholders.
RCE Central Kenya stakeholders during a project handover ceremony in March 2015
RCE Central Kenya stakeholders during a workshop held in April 2014
6. Muringato Water Resource Users Association (WRUA)
DeKUT through RTMCL Division spearheaded establishment of Muringato WRUA in year 2014. The WRUA is registered with Registrar of Societies and Water Resource Managent Authority (WRMA). Muringato WRUA members and its key stakeholders participated in development of its Sub Catchment Management Plan (SCMP) in May 2014 which identified strategies for increasing water availability and catchment conservation within its Sub Catchment. Murinagto WRUA is currently undertaking a project to plant over 100,000 tree seedlings within its sub-catchment area.
DVC RTMCL, Prof. P. Wambua addressing participants during a Muringato WRUA workshop in May 2014
7. Rehabilitation of Kabiruini Quarries
DeKUT in collaboration with Kenya Forest Service, Kabiruini Quarry and Forest Preservation group, Muringato Primary school and the local community are working to rehabilitate the Kabiruini Quarries which have been mined extensively of building stones.