Officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) are conducting a five-day in-house training program for laboratory technologists at Chuka University, marking a major step toward the certification and accreditation of the University’s laboratories in line with international quality and safety standards.
The training, led by Dr. Joshua Njiru, Director of Metrology and Testing, and accompanied by Ms. Grace Ateka and Mr. George Maswai, focuses on the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
The program brings together laboratory technologists from multiple disciplines, including Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Wildlife, Environmental Science, Food Science, Nursing Skills, and Plant and Animal Sciences, reflecting Chuka University’s holistic approach to quality assurance in teaching, research, and innovation.
The initiative commenced with a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Henry Mutembei, where Prof. Paul Kamweru, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, together with Prof. Eric Njagi and Prof. Joel Gichumbi, welcomed the KEBS team. The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that achieving laboratory accreditation will enhance the reliability, accuracy, and global recognition of research conducted at the University.
In the course of the week, the training will also feature experts from the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA) and the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH), who will deliver specialized sessions on radiation safety, waste management, and nuclear technology applications in laboratory environments.
During the courtesy meeting, Dr. Njiru and the Vice-Chancellor discussed a potential Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize collaboration between KEBS and Chuka University, focusing on training, staff exchanges, and materials testing.
The partnership highlights Chuka University’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence, research integrity, and innovation in support of sustainable national development.
