Faculty members from Kenya visited the Institute for Process Development, Peat, and Natural Products Research (iTN) in Zittau for continuing education as part of TTU’s “Process Engineering” degree programme in Kenya. The exchange is part of the Center of Excellence for Mining, Environmental Engineering, and Resource Management (CEMEREM) project, in which HSZG has been participating since 2014 as a project partner for the “Mechanical Process Engineering, Waste Management, and Environmental Engineering” component, represented by Prof. Schoenherr. This visit is part of a long tradition of visits and return visits from Zittau to Voi and from Voi to Zittau.

During their stay, the two lecturers from Taita Taveta University in Voi, Kenya, in the field of mechanical process engineering were able to complete various internships at the iTN in Zittau, enabling them to support teaching and the construction of test facilities in Kenya.

Titanium, Gold, and Iron

Kenya has great potential in the mining sector, but the exploration of mineral resources has only just begun. The country is still primarily known as a producer of agricultural products such as tea, coffee, corn, and beans. Nevertheless, Kenya is already a major global exporter of non-metallic minerals such as sodium carbonate (the world’s third-largest producer) and fluorspar. Titanium, gold, and iron are also already being mined and exported. The rare-earth deposits found in the coastal region provide a further foundation for the further development of the mining sector—from its current 1% of gross domestic product to the targeted 6.5%. Achieving this goal requires not only competent mining experts but also environmental engineers who can guide this development and find solutions to the conflicts between mining, the environment, and nature. Research and international exchange play a crucial role here.

Academic Cooperation with East African Countries

The partnership between Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences and Taita Taveta University has been in place since May 2014. Prof. Schoenherr serves as a visiting lecturer, teaching mechanical process engineering, mineral processing, waste management, and environmental engineering. The trilateral cooperation agreement is part of a network of interested German universities—primarily HTW Dresden, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, and Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences—and aims to establish academic cooperation with East African countries. In addition to development aid, this initiative is intended to support the international economic endeavors of German and Saxon industry.

A field trip to SCHOLZ Recycling GmbH in Espenhain gave the African colleagues a first-hand look at the state of recycling technology in Germany. In addition to the academic work, the program included visits by the Rector and the mayor, which rounded out the visit of Mr. Eric Kinyua and Ms. Phillis Mbinda to Zittau.

African Guests at HSZG

Kinyua and Mbinda both teach at Taita Taveta University in the Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering faculty. They are responsible for setting up the laboratories and implementing the use of equipment and facilities used for student training in the “Process Engineering” Master's degree programme in Kenya.

In recent years, the Rector and Chancellor of TTU Kenya have made several visits to Zittau. Researchers from the iTN participated in conferences in Kenya. Doctoral students working in Freiberg were invited to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Zittau University of Applied Sciences.