As the world gears up for World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development on March 4th, Kyambogo University Engineering students took the lead in hosting Pre-World Engineering Day 2025 on 27th February 2025. This annual event, recognized by UNESCO, highlights the vital role of engineering in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2nd Pre-World Engineering Day Celebrations at Kyambogo University, hosted by the Association of Chemical Engineering Students (ACES), focused on engineering’s role in sustainability. Keynote speakers highlighted the need for clean energy solutions, mental well-being, and innovation. Panel discussions explored challenges in sustainable energy, AI’s role in engineering, and project funding opportunities. Students exhibited groundbreaking projects, and the event concluded with a tree-planting exercise to emphasize action over words. The key message: Sustainability starts with us!

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Augustine Osamor Ifelebuege, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs at Victoria University. He emphasized the role of education and workforce development in equipping engineers with the skills needed to tackle global challenges like forest encroachment, pollution, and the energy crisis. He also encouraged engineers to be at the forefront of clean, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.

Prof. Ifelebuege further highlighted that innovation isn’t just about new discoveries but also about enhancing existing technologies to make them more efficient and compact, a concept he called “process intensification.”

With such thought-provoking discussions and groundbreaking ideas, Pre-World Engineering Day 2025 set the stage for a future where engineering continues to drive sustainable progress worldwide.