JKUAT Mining Students Shine on Global Stage in International Video Competition
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) continues to strengthen its reputation as a hub of innovation and academic excellence, following an outstanding performance by students from the Department of Mining, Materials and Petroleum Engineering in an international video lecture competition hosted by Saint Petersburg Mining University, Russia.
The competition, dubbed “Impulse of Knowledge,” brought together students from various countries to showcase innovative ideas and emerging solutions to challenges facing the global mining industry. Among the participating African institutions, JKUAT emerged as the top-performing university, underscoring the institution’s growing influence in engineering education and research.
A team comprising Ian Ngumbau Wambua, Shaneal Mumbi Nixon, and Ruth Igunza, all students of Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering, secured first place with an innovative presentation on “Waterless Mineral Processing.” Their project proposed the use of sensor-based sorting and air classification technologies during the mineral beneficiation process, significantly reducing the need for water in mining operations.
This innovation addresses one of the mining sector’s most pressing sustainability challenges, water scarcity. In Kenya, where many mining regions experience limited water resources, the proposed technology offers an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional mineral processing methods. The solution also demonstrates global applicability, particularly in Russia’s Arctic mining operations, where freezing temperatures can hinder traditional slurry-based processing systems.
By combining technological innovation with environmental stewardship, the students presented a practical and climate-resilient approach capable of enhancing efficiency while reducing the ecological footprint of mining activities.
Adding to JKUAT’s impressive achievement, a second team comprising Okeyo Fredrick and Onunga Rocky also excelled in the competition, securing an admirable finish in third-place. Their success further highlighted the depth of talent and technical expertise among JKUAT’s mining engineering students.
Speaking after the competition, team member Ruth Igunza noted that the international platform provided an invaluable opportunity for students to demonstrate Africa’s growing contribution to solving global engineering challenges.
“Engaging with world-class technical standards has offered our teams profound validation, proving that despite the geographical distance between Kenya and Russia, we share a universal engineering language,” said Ms. Igunza.
The teams are set to travel to Saint Petersburg, Russia, for the official award ceremony.
This achievement underscores JKUAT’s commitment to producing globally competitive graduates equipped to tackle emerging challenges through innovation, research, and practical problem-solving. It also reflects the University’s growing focus on international engagement and the development of sustainable solutions that address both local and global needs.
Dr. David Akisa Mwangi, Chair of the Department of Mining, Materials and Petroleum Engineering department, JKUAT, commended the students for their outstanding performance and ingenuity.
“This competition offered a valuable opportunity to showcase the ability of African youth to contribute meaningful, technology-driven solutions to the global mining industry. The students’ success demonstrates the strength of JKUAT’s engineering programmes and the transformative impact of exposing learners to international platforms,” said Dr. Mwangi
As the mining sector continues to evolve toward more sustainable and efficient practices, the accomplishments of the JKUAT teams highlight the growing role of young African engineers in shaping the future of the industry.
