Construction of the ultra-modern Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) at the Konza Technopolis is set to be completed in 2022. PS for University Education and Research, Simon Nabukwesi revealed the report and said that it will admit its first students the following year.
The project began 2017 and is being financed through a Sh 10.1billion loan from the Exim Bank of Korea and the government of Kenya‘s contribution of Sh 4.5billion. It is expected to become the top university for specialised training of scientists and engineers in Kenya and the region.
Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
The university sits on a 22 acres of land. It is a Kenya Vision 2030 flagship project, modelled on the Korean Advanced Institute of Science & Technology, the first and top science and technology university in Korea which emphasizes on specialized training.
Upon completion, the Konza Technopolis will be a world-class city driven by a thriving ICT sector, superior reliable infrastructure and business friendly governance systems. The National Data Centre at the city was recently launched following completion of Phase One of the centre. Government ministries and other agencies will be the early movers to migrate their data to the centre whose services will also be available for private entities as part of the commercialisation plan.
The university will admit students at master’s and doctorate level in three faculties: Mechanical, Electrical and ICT Engineering, Chemical Civil and Agriculture Engineering/Biotechnology, and Basic Science Education.
“An institution of national strategic importance, it aims at producing highly qualified scientists and engineers for the future industry in Kenya and East African region. It is a flagship of the African Union. Since it was opened in 2012, 694 students have graduated from the university with masters and PhD degrees,” said Mr Nabukwesi.
