The Association of Consulting Engineers of Kenya (ACEK) has blamed some universities for admitting students into engineering degree programmes without securing approval from the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK), saying the lapse has left hundreds of graduates unable to register and practise as engineers after completing their studies.
ACEK President Gabriel Jabongo said the problem arose after some institutions obtained approval for their programmes from the Commission for University Education (CUE) but failed to undergo the mandatory accreditation process by the Engineers Board of Kenya, which regulates engineering education and professional practice in the country.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Thursday, Jabongo said many affected graduates only discovered their qualifications did not meet the required standards when they applied for registration with the board.
"There was a time when universities were offering engineering courses, programmes which are not recognized by the Engineers Board of Kenya," Jabongo said.
He explained that the Engineers Board of Kenya is responsible for ensuring engineering training meets internationally recognised standards before students are enrolled.
"So the Engineers Board of Kenya came and said no. We must have a standard, and that standard is internationally recognized," he said.
Jabongo said universities intending to offer engineering degree programmes are required to invite the board to inspect their facilities, curriculum, laboratories and teaching capacity before admitting students.
"What happens is that if you want to offer an engineering course programme, you are supposed to apply to the Engineers Board of Kenya for them to come and assess the facilities which are available, whether they are adequate for the programme which you want to offer," he said.
He, however, claimed that some institutions ignored the requirement and instead sought accreditation only from the Commission for University Education.
"They take a programme to the Commission for University Education for accreditation... without going through EBK," he said.
Jabongo said while the Commission for University Education oversees university education generally, the Engineers Board of Kenya is mandated to safeguard engineering training standards and ensure graduates are qualified to join the profession.
According to him, the shortcomings only became apparent after graduates sought registration with the board.
"The Engineers Board of Kenya said no. Which programme did you do?" Jabongo said.
He explained that the board compared the course content undertaken by graduates against internationally agreed engineering standards and established that some programmes had omitted essential units required for professional registration.
As a result, he said, some universities were directed to recall affected graduates so they could complete the missing coursework before becoming eligible for registration.
"Some university accepted. They called back their students... they only do the units which they were lacking," he said.
Under the Engineers Act and the Engineers Board of Kenya regulations, graduates must complete an EBK-accredited or recognised engineering degree before they can register as Graduate Engineers. They must then acquire at least three years of supervised practical experience and successfully complete the board's professional assessment before qualifying for registration as Professional Engineers.
Jabongo's remarks highlight the importance of universities following the required accreditation process to protect students from pursuing engineering programmes that do not meet the standards needed for professional recognition after graduation.