By: Mwanamvua Abdallah
The Department of Public Education and Advocacy at the Energy & Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) conducted a sensitization session today the 29th September, 2026 for engineering students at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), primarily from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
Leading the EPRA technical delegation, Ms. Olivia Odhiambo, Senior Public Education & Advocacy Officer (Coast Region), outlined the main objective of the forum: introducing students to the Authority’s regulatory mandate and showing how their academic disciplines align with real-world industry applications. As the sector's regulatory body, EPRA will be a primary touchpoint for these future engineers throughout their professional careers.
Beyond EPRA’s core mandate, the session covered the legal and regulatory frameworks governing energy and petroleum operations in Kenya. Students gained insights into key operational areas, including licensing procedures, technical standards for electrical wiring, safety compliance, testing, inspection protocols, and industry best practices.
Speaking during the forum, Dr. Samuel Kariuki, Chairperson – Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, noted that TUM currently offers Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Technology, and Diploma in Technology programs in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. He highlighted that the university’s BSc and BTech programs have been aligned with international benchmarks, earning recognition under the prestigious Washington Accord and Dublin Accord, respectively.
Prof. Michael Saulo, Dean – School of Engineering, emphasized the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap between classroom theory and industry execution. He noted that the forum comes at an opportune time ahead of the planned refinery project in Lamu County. In response to expanding petroleum exploration, TUM is actively developing a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering, expected to launch within a year.
Ms. Bibiye Mahmoud, President of IET-K & Faculty Member expressed appreciation to both the department and EPRA for organizing the forum, underscoring its value in preparing students for the transition into professional engineering practice.
