Kenya's Push for World-Class Engineering Status Gains Ground

Kenya is making huge strides towards achieving provisional signatory status under the Washington Accord, a development that could transform the nation's engineering education landscape.

Success in this endeavour would enhance the global standing of Kenyan engineering graduates, granting them greater opportunities to practice in member countries. The Washington Accord is an international agreement that acknowledges the equivalency of engineering education accreditation systems worldwide. This recognition is essential for standardizing engineering education and facilitating professional mobility across borders.

Kenya's initiative to secure this status underscores its dedication to improving the quality of its engineering programs to align with global standards. The Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), established under the Engineers Act of 2011, is spearheading this initiative. The Act empowers the EBK to regulate the engineering profession through rigorous registration processes, the establishment of standards, and the promotion of ongoing professional development.

Specifically, Section 7(1)(r) of the Act allows the EBK to work alongside engineering training institutions and professional organizations to enhance training and professional growth. Eng. Margaret Ogai, Registrar and CEO of the Engineers Board of Kenya, remarks on the significance of achieving recognition under the Washington Accord: "This will elevate Kenya’s engineering education system and bolster the global mobility of our engineers."

Integral to this initiative is the Engineering Accreditation Committee (EAC), a semi-autonomous body within the EBK tasked with overseeing the accreditation of engineering programs. The EAC plays a crucial role in ensuring these programs meet the stringent requirements necessary for international recognition. Key achievements of the EBK and EAC include Kenya's recent affiliation with the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), which occurred in October 2022.

This membership has facilitated support from other member nations, marking a significant milestone in Kenya's journey toward Washington Accord recognition. A critical component of this process is an external assessment by international nominators from the Board of Engineers Malaysia and the Pakistan Engineering Council, whose evaluations will determine Kenya’s preparedness for provisional signatory status.

Last week, assessments were conducted at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture, Strathmore University, and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, forming a pivotal part of the evaluation process. The final decision on Kenya’s application for provisional signatory status is expected at the International Engineering Alliance Meeting later this year.