The Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT) collaborated with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) and developed a joint curriculum focusing on Construction Materials Testing for Civil Engineering and Power Train Suspension Systems for Mechanical Engineering students. This initiative aimed at fostering student mobility and regional integration in the East African Region.
In August 2024, both institutions embarked on a 6-month student exchange program that was delivered in a hybrid model and would later culminate into physical learning program in Kenya for one month following a rigorous theoretical training conducted online. Among the student exchange participants was Paulina Charles Haghai a student at NIT undertaking a Bachelor of Civil and Railway Engineering in Level 7ii. Young, confident trainee whose month in Kenya became both academically enriching and culturally memorable.
Optimistic and enthusiastic on expanding her technical abilities, Pauline joined the exchange programme with the goal of gaining practical exposure in materials testing. From the moment she arrived in Kenya, she and her fellow exchange students were welcomed into a well-structured training schedule that combined classroom instruction, laboratory work, and cultural immersion.
During the introductory sessions that were done, the students received foundational training on bitumen testing, including penetration, softening point, and ductility procedures, as well as tests on foundation soils such as compaction, moisture-density relationships, and Atterberg limits. These sessions were delivered by experienced KIHBT lecturers who ensured the trainees understood both the theoretical principles and the practical relevance of the tests.
The highlight of Pauline’s training was the practical attachment at the Materials Testing and Research Division (MTRD) in Nairobi, Kenya a sister division of KIHBT known for its advanced laboratory facilities. At MTRD, Pauline was introduced to modern testing equipment and real-world laboratory operations used in Kenya’s road construction and geotechnical investigations. Under the mentorship of highly skilled technicians, she carried out hands-on tests, interpreted results, and gained a deeper appreciation of the role of materials testing in ensuring quality infrastructure. The exposure bridged the gap between classroom learning and industry application.
“Working at MTRD was eye-opening,” Pauline recalls. “It was my first time interacting with advanced materials testing equipment. The technicians and lecturers guided us so well. I gained practical confidence very quickly.”
Pauline interacted daily with KIHBT students from diverse regions of Kenya, exchanging ideas, sharing class experiences, and forming cross-cultural friendships. She quickly adapted to the lively campus atmosphere, the warmth of the students, and the rich expressions used in Kenyan urban slang, a linguistic element that fascinated her throughout her stay.
Outside the laboratory where she spent most of her time in Kenya, she got an opportunity to explore Nairobi City and experience its energy, fast pace, and cultural diversity. From the city’s bustling streets to its social spaces and local cuisine, Pauline embraced every moment, appreciating the blend of modernity and tradition that defines Kenya’s capital.
As Pauline reflects on her six -month experience, she speaks with renewed ambition. The exchange programme not only strengthened her technical competence but also expanded her professional outlook. Inspired by Kenya’s innovation-driven infrastructure sector, she expresses optimism about returning to Kenya in the future to seek employment opportunities, particularly in materials testing and quality assurance.
The KIHBT and NIT exchange programme continues to demonstrate the value of regional partnerships in building competent, confident, and globally aware young engineers. Pauline’s story is a testament that demand-driven capacity building programs can have a long-lasting impact on career pathways and professional growth.
By Beatrice Njenga, Communication Officer for EASTRIP at Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology
