Mr. Joseph Kariuki Mwaura, a Master’s student in Chemistry at Tharaka University, has successfully completed an impactful three-week research visit to the University of Fort Hare (UFH) in South Africa.
During his time abroad, Mwaura worked in specialized laboratories at the Fort Hare Institute of Technology (FHIT), focusing on the development and characterization of thin films, key materials used in solar panels and other photovoltaic systems for sustainable energy harvesting. While in South Africa, Mr. Mwaura also participated in UFH’s Research Week of Excellence, where he engaged with distinguished scholars and explored emerging ideas in his field.
This research visit formed part of an academic exchange program made possible courtesy of the strong and ongoing collaborative partnership between the University of Fort Hare and Tharaka University. The visit was hosted by Prof. Edson Meyer of the University of Fort Hare, whose role was instrumental in facilitating the research exchange, and has been working closely with Dr. Fidelis Ngugi, Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (FPET) at Tharaka University.
His research contributes meaningfully to the global pursuit of sustainable energy solutions and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, which advocates for affordable and clean energy for all. His project is jointly supervised by a collaborative academic team from both institutions: Dr. Fidelis Ngugi (TUN), Mr. Eric Kibagendi Osoro (TUN), Dr. Nicholas Rono (UFH), and Dr. Chinedu Christian Ahia (UFH). As testament to his expertise, Mwaura has already published his research findings in Next Energy, a respected international scientific journal.
We congratulate Mr. Mwaura on this milestone and extend our sincere appreciation to Professor Meyer and the University of Fort Hare for hosting this exchange program, as well as to the Tharaka University leadership for their strong commitment and continued support in nurturing this valuable institutional partnership.
