JKUAT Hosts Australian High Commission for Strategic Mining Collaboration Talks

By Mohammed Hassan,

The Department of Mining, Materials and Petroleum Engineering (COETEC) at JKUAT hosted officials from the Australian High Commission for a strategic meeting aimed at strengthening ties and exploring collaboration opportunities in the mining sector on 2nd July 2025. Representing the Australian High Commission were Ms. Angeli Damodaran, Second Secretary, and Ms. Maureen Maina, the Programs Manager.

They highlighted a wide range of educational and research opportunities offered by the Australian Government in the mining field, including short-term training programs, as well as undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD scholarships. They also emphasized the availability of Australian Government grants to support collaborative research.

In her remarks, Ms. Angeli Damodaran expressed Australia’s commitment to fostering global partnerships in mining and technical education. “Australia has a long-standing reputation as a leader in the mining sector, and we are very
excited about the potential for collaboration with institutions like JKUAT,” she said.

“Through our scholarship programs and research funding, we aim to build strong academic and professional linkages that can benefit both countries. We encourage students and researchers in Kenya to take full advantage of the opportunities available.”

The meeting, which primarily focused on mining, was chaired by Dr. Akisa Mwangi, Chairperson of the Department of Mining, Materials and Petroleum Engineering at JKUAT. In his address, Dr. Akisa underscored the immense untapped mineral resources in Kenya, noting the potential for growth and development in the sector through international partnerships.

“Our department is committed to not only training skilled professionals but also ensuring our students gain real-world experience through industrial attachments, thanks to our strong ties with local Industries,” Dr. Akisa said. “We look forward to enhanced collaboration with Australia, especially given its global reputation and experience in the mining industry.”

The meeting provided a platform for both parties to explore mutual areas of interest, with the hope of fostering long-term partnerships in mining education, research, and innovation.