Taita Taveta University (TTU) is the hosting local institution for the Kenyan-German Centre of Excellence for Mining, Environmental Engineering and Resource Management (CEMEREM).

Beate Schindler-Kovats, the Director DAAD Regional Office for Africa, Nairobi, visited TTU on March 7, 2022. The much-awaited visit was a key moment after the planned visit had been put off several times due to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. At 10 am, she was received by her host, Prof. Fred Simiyu Barasa, the Vice-Chancellor of Taita Taveta University. The DAAD Director proceeded to meet the University Management and lecturers.

As the Chief Guest, she planted a memorial tree just next to the Administration Block.

Among the core activities of the day was a visit to the CEMEREM facilities, which are laboratories and equipment acquired and established at TTU through the DAAD support. The facilities included:

1. CEMEREM Office
2. Engineering and Mine Surveying Equipment
3. CEMEREM Digital Classroom
4. Mining engineering computer lab
5. Chemistry and Soil Mechanics lab
6. Biogas in the Chemistry lab
7. Sun Meets Water – SuMeWa project for solar water purification
8. Postgraduate Resource Centre
9. CEMEREM Conference Room
10. CEMEREM Visiting Professors Office

In the afternoon, she met university staff and students in the TTU Auditorium for a highly informative session on how DAAD supports studies and research in German universities and research institutes as well as across African universities. The significant proportion of DAAD alumni among the audience was noted as a crucial entry point into boosting research support at TTU. The alumni can apply for DAAD support in purchasing research equipment and funding research mobility.

Working closely with the CEMEREM Project Manager, Prof. Maurice Ogada, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academic affairs and outreach, Prof. Christine Onyango, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, Finance and Planning, Prof. Jonah Arap Too, coordinated the meetings with the top university management. The Deans of Schools and Chairs of Departments coordinated the attendance and active participation of academic staff and students.

The event was successful and was concluded with a networking session over tea at 3 pm. We are grateful for the kind gesture of DAAD through the visit by the DAAD Regional Director. This development gives hope and reassurance that the partnership between TTU and the two German partner universities under CEMEREM (HTW-Dresden and TU Bergakademie Freiberg), which is supported by DAAD, can only grow stronger.