In a significant stride towards enhancing education, research, and innovation, Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has forged a promising partnership with the Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) to establish a state-of-the-art weather station within the University’s premises. This collaborative endeavor aims to enrich learning experiences for students pursuing programmes related to weather, climate, and environmental sciences, including Education, Geography, Engineering, and Agriculture.

The auspicious occasion of receiving an automatic weather station from the Kenya Meteorological Department was graced by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Romanus Odhiambo. Expressing his profound appreciation for the donation, the Vice-Chancellor acknowledged the significant value this advanced equipment would bring to various disciplines. The weather station, equipped with cutting-edge technology, features four sensors designed to detect crucial meteorological parameters: rain, air temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.

What sets this weather station apart is its innovative fabrication within the country through 3D printing technology. This unique approach not only highlights Kenya’s strides in technological advancements but also ensures that the station’s sensors are easily replaceable, minimizing downtime in case of malfunctions. This innovative design perfectly aligns with MUST’s commitment to providing quality education and research opportunities in the realm of Science, Technology, and Innovation.

The collaborative efforts between Meru University and the Kenya Meteorological Department have been in the works for some time. The journey commenced with a site visit by officials from the Meteorological Department to the University’s campus. Kennedy Thiong’o (Deputy Director, KMD), Henry G. Ndung’u (Officer in Charge of Meru Meteorological Station) and Joseph Mukola (Representing SPMTA, KMD) engaged with MUST representatives to outline the logistics of the project. This visit followed a prior invitation extended by KMD to the School of Education in September 2022, where discussions were initiated to explore avenues for collaboration in weather-related programmes.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Simon Thuranira, and the Dean of the School of Education, Dr. Ibuathu Njati, spearheaded the University’s engagement with the Meteorological Department. The progress of this collaboration was further reinforced when the KMD officials visited MUST on the 5^th of April 2023. During their visit, they not only engaged in discussions with the University representatives but also embarked on a site assessment to determine the most suitable location for the weather station within the campus premises.

In a statement during the visit, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo reiterated the university’s commitment to this partnership and its enthusiasm for the anticipated positive impact on both education and research. As Meru University of Science and Technology takes steps towards fostering innovation and knowledge-sharing, the collaborative weather station project with the Kenya Meteorological Department stands as a testament to MUST’s dedication to quality education and transformative advancements in Science and Technology.