Regional Staff Exchange Moi University REPORT AFRICA CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN PHYTOCHEMICAL, TEXTILE AND RENEWABLE ENERGY 18th - 31th March, 2021 BUSITEMA UNIVERSITY-UGANDA Nairobi, Kenya ACEII-PTRE Contact Persons & Host Dr. Nibikora Ildephonse is Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering at Busitema University- Uganda. He is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Textile and Ginning Engineering. Busitema University is one of the Dr. Nibikora Ildephonse partners with the Centre of Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering- Busitema Excellence in Phytochemicals, University Textiles and Renewable Energy and he is the link person. Introduction The Africa Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable Energy (ACE II, PTRE) at Moi University is one of the 24 African Centers of Excellence funded by the World Bank ACE II Project. The main goal of the center is to provide high quality training and research within the African Region by training of highly skilled manpower through research, innovation and technology transfer for enhancement of the manufacturing sector. To achieve this, the Center supports academic staff to undertake short research visits in Universities, research institutions or relevant industries. Consequently, the staff exchange programme helps enhance the quality of teaching and research in Universities. The staff exchange programme at Busitema University Busitema is a multi-campus Science and Technology based Public University which focuses on academic programs that are aligned to the National Development Plan III (NDP III), Vision 2040, NRM Manifesto (2021-2026) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in order to address the challenging times in our country of high unemployment, poverty and inequality in the wider society of which we are part. The University has operational Campuses at Arapai, Busitema, Mbale, Nagongera, Namasagali and Pallisa and each campus with its own niche. The staff exchange was undertaken from 18th March, 2021 to 31st March, 2021. I was hosted at the faculty of Engineering at Busitema University, main campus to participate for Staff Change activities implemented by Africa Center of Excellence in Phytochemicals, Textile and Renewable Energy (ACEII-PTRE) under Memorandum of Understanding between Moi University and Busitema University. The host staff was Dr. Nibikora Ildephonse, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering. Figure 1: Dr. Nibikora I. (right), Deputy Dean, Faculty of Engineering having a discussion in his office with Dr. Kosgei, M. (left) Specific objectives/activities • Familiarise with laboratory/research equipment for materials and polymer textile. • Research seminar presentation on optimization of a system process • Foster links and networks with staff at Busitema University About the Faculty of Engineering Busitema Campus (Busia) focuses on irrigation, mechanization, agro-processing among others, all geared towards value addition and competitiveness in critical national development priorities of human capital development and improved livelihood. The faculty is also involved in research areas of irrigation, mechanization, agro-processing, ICT in Agriculture and climate change, engineering materials for low cost packaging and natural fibres, renewable energy, rice intensification with the following academic programmes: Masters of Science in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Master of Computer Forensics, Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Forensics, Bachelor Science of Agricultural Mechanization and Irrigation Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Agro- processing Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Polymer, Textile and Industrial Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Water Resources Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering, Bachelor of Computer Engineering, Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Diploma in Ginning and Industrial Engineering, Diploma in Agricultural Engineering and Diploma in Computer Engineering. Outcome of staff exchange Objective 1: Familiarise with laboratory/research equipment for materials and polymer Textile During my short visit, I familiarized with the operations of some of the laboratory equipment including but not limited to the following: Figure 2: Dr, Nibikora (right) explaining to Dr. Kosgei (left) on Equipment available in the laboratory for sensitive experiments Scanning Electron Microscope Scanning electron microscopy can be used to identify problems with particle size or shape before products reach the consumer. Finally, industries that use small or microscopic components to create their products often use scanning electron microscopy to examine small components like fine filaments and thin films. Figure 3: Dr Nibikora (right) demonstrating how the Scannining Electron Microscope is used as Dr Kosgei (right) observes Applications Materials Sciences: Steel and metal alloys; polymers and Composites Life Sciences: Biomedical Engineering and pharmaceuticals Earth Sciences: Petrology and Mineralogy; palaentology; ore processing recycling The Fourier-Transform Infra-Red(FT-IR) Spectrometer The Fourier-Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) Spectrometer The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is another equipment available in the research laboratory. It relies on the fact that most molecules absorb light in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum, converting it to molecular vibration. This absorption corresponds specifically to the bonds present in the molecule. With a spectrometer, this absorption of infrared radiation by the sample material is measured versus wavelength (as wavenumbers, typically from 4000 – 600 cm-1). The result is a spectrum that gives a distinctive "molecular fingerprint" which can be used to screen, scan and identify organic and inorganic samples. Figure 4: Dr Nibikora (right) explaining to Dr. Kosgei on the operation of a Fourier Transform Infra-Red Applications Agriculture, Biochemistry, Chemical, Food and Beverages, Forensic/Toxicology, Fuel, Pharmaceuticals and polymers Objective 2: Research Seminar presentation on optimization of a system process I presented a research seminar on Optimization of a System Process Using Response Surface Approach- An Implementation Using R statistical software through the Directorate of Graduate Studies Research & Innovations at Busitema that organized and hosted the Virtual Research Seminar. Objective 3: Foster links and networks with staff at Busitema University During the visit period, I managed to establish contacts with staff of Busitema University and other visiting researchers that we interacted. The contacts are useful for future collaborations especially joint research and co-supervision of postgraduate students. Challenges My visit to Busitema University happened during the third phase of COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. The associated fear on mandatory requirement to obtain a PCR test certificate with negative results and stringent protocols was not easy. Further, my visit also coincided with industrial action by the academic staff of Uganda, which implied that there was less activity at the university and limited staff that I interacted. Conclusion and Recommendation The exchange programme was quite beneficial in terms of exposure, knowledge sharing, research and networking for future collaborations. I therefore recommend to staff to work aggressively to win research funds that provide opportunities for staff exchange programmes because it provides many benefits for participants and the host institutions. Acknowledgement • First and foremost, I wish to thank ACEII-PTRE hosted at Moi University for facilitating my staff exchange programme at Busitema University. • I acknowledge the Busitema University fraternity for hosting me for a staff exchange. • In particular, I want to mention the Dean, faculty of Engineering Dr. Otim Daniel and the Deputy Dean Dr. Nibikora Ildephonse for a brotherly warm reception they accorded me, the great support and coordinating all my exchange activities. • My appreciation to the Directorate of Graduate Studies Research & Innovations organizing and hosting the Virtual Research Seminar. • Last but not least, I express my unreserved appreciation to all staff and students of Busitema University and the visiting researchers/students we interacted for their hospitality and constructive engagement. Report prepared by Dr. Mathew S. Kosgei (PhD) Senior Lecturer and Associate Dean, School of Sciences and Aerospace Studies, Moi University. .