Dr. Joy Nyawira Riungu has placed Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) on the global map. True to our Vision “A World Class University of Excellence in Science and Technology”, Dr. Riungu has demonstrated Excellence by being the recipient of the DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD 2022 from IHE Delft Institute for Water Education in the Netherlands.

The Award was presented by Prof. Eddy Moors, Rector, IHE Delft.  This Alumni Award recognizes individuals who have made a remarkable impact in a water-related field and who are role models for water professionals.

Dr. Riungu is the Director of the Sanitation Research Institute (SRI) which was established in September 2019.  She has also served as the Dean, School of Engineering and Architecture at MUST, and successfully completed two terms (2016-2020). SRI is host to a bio-resource based approach to Sanitation which was listed by UN-Habitat as a Top 20 Innovative Solution in September 2019.  (Read more details on the Sanitation Research Institute here: https://sri.must.ac.ke/)

Through the efforts of Dr. Riungu, MUST became part of the Global Sanitation Graduate School (GSGS). Under a IHE funded program, since January 2020, 342 students have been trained across various programs; Master of Science in Sanitation, Graduate Professional Diploma Programme (GDPD) as well as Short courses in Sanitation. Partial scholarships have also been available for these programs. A PhD and BSc curricula have been developed and ready for launch in January 2023.

At the national level, Dr. Riungu is a key stakeholder in the development of the national sanitation management policies. Dr. Riungu is a Kenya lead expert in implementation of the program; ‘Strengthening African Water Association (AFWA) and Operators Capacity for the implementation of City-Wide Inclusive Sanitation in Africa (SAO CWIS).

“I am and will continue being a Sanitation ambassador. Sanitation challenges are enormous. No one is safe until we are all safe! My efforts may be insignificant, but just like the famous Nobel Peace Laureate; The Late Prof. Wangari Maathai said, I will be a humming bird! I will do the best I can!” Dr. Joy Riungu.

The MUST family CELEBRATES Dr. Joy Nyawira Riungu.