By Irene Gaitirira
Published April 10, 2017
The training capacity of Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) in Aviation has been boosted with a donation of an aircraft engine, aviation maintenance training books, training aids, reading materials, used aircraft parts and aircraft manual.
The donation from Kenya Airways (KQ), General Electric (GE) and Boeing is aimed at boosting aviation training in Africa as TU-K is one of the three universities in sub-Saharan Africa that offer Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering course.
It is envisaged that students of Aerospace and Aviation Engineering will be equipped with hands-on training from the donation of the high-tech CF6-80A2 aircraft engine that powers Airbus A310 and Boeing 767 received by TU-K from KQ, GE and Boeing as a joint initiative.
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Speaking during the handover ceremony held at the TU-K on Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi on April 10, 2017, Thomas Omondi , the nd Performance Management Director Thomas at KQ, said, “Our donation today strengthens our commitment to ensure a stronger foundation of aeronautical knowledge, skills and more experience to aviation technicians and engineers even as they prepare for the job market. We are happy to support the next generation of aircraft maintenance engineers.”
Kenya Airways’ 41 aircraft flies to 52 destinations worldwide, 42 of which are in Africa and is reported to carry at least three million passengers annually.
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“As Africa’s aviation industry continues to grow, the need for skilled aviation professionals in the region is also on the rise,” said Dr Rajiv Bissessur, Regional Sales Director for GE Aviation in Africa. “GE Aviation is proud to play a role in the skill development efforts underway at the Technical University of Kenya. The donated CF6 engine will enable aeronautical engineering students to experience hands-on learning with one of the most popular wide body aircraft engine in service today and increase the pool of talented aviation experts that will be needed to service the needs of the airlines in Africa and around the world.”
Prof Francis WO Aduol, the Vice Chancellor of TU-K, hailed the partnership with KQ, GE and Boeing, saying the “donation will provide the much needed practical and research orientation to our technician and engineering students and thus increase their competitiveness. This will make us the University of Choice for aspiring aviation professionals in the region.”
