In line with his vision of transforming and repositioning the University of Eldoret, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Thomas Cheruiyot signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr. Alex Mugane, the Managing Director of Customized Aviation Solutions Limited (CAS).

CAS offers solutions in aerial survey and use drone technology to provide accurate and affordable delivery of data in surveying, mapping, inspection, monitoring and training of pilots in East Africa. They use drones to offer agricultural drone solutions to farmers enabling them to monitor crop and livestock conditions from the air.

In his remarks, the Chair of Council, Dr. Ismail Buro said that the drone technology program will give an edge to the University students and staff in training, upskilling, research and data management analytics, innovation and commercialization of research output thus supporting knowledge development agriculture, environmental studies, engineering, science and other related areas within the University. Additionally the technology would improve the services at the farm through agriculture precision technology.

Prof. Cheruiyot thanked Mr. Mugane for making University of Eldoret their preferred higher education institution of choice within the North Rift region, saying, the drone technology will enable the University students to acquire additional skills and knowledge in the untapped and versatile Information Technology sector. He said, the University students from the Schools of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, School of Engineering, School of Science and School of Education will be the first beneficiaries of the cutting edge technology. Prof. Cheruiyot mentioned that the drone technology would not only be beneficial to the University but also the community through community based participatory research, community-wide agricultural improvement and economic development.

Present during the MoU signing and aerial presentation were the Ag. Deputy Vice Chancellor (AF), Dr. Nicholas Makau - Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor (ASA) - Prof. Beatrice Were, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (PRE) - Prof. Philip Raburu, Registrar Planning - Dr. Ben Mwasi, Ag. Registrar Administration - Dr. Francis Ikapel, Senior Legal Officer - Mr. Stephen Anditi, Ag. Finance Officer - CPA. Barnabas Agar, Prof. Miriam Kinyua, Dean, School of Engineering - Eng. Dr. Clement Kiptum, Dean, School of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management - Dr. Mark Kiptui, Dean, School of Education - Dr. Hosea Kiplagat, Dean, School of Science - prof. Donald otieno, Director, Industrial Linkages, Partnerships and Collaborations - Dr. Frank Masese, Asst. Registrar (Corporate Affairs and Marketing) - Ms. Cynthia Chebii, Dr. Kipyas Kipkore and Eng. Omenda.