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UK investors- Capstone Projects – to invest in affordable housing in Kenya 

Real estate developers, Capstone Projects, have set foot in Kenya seeking to invest in the construction of affordable houses for middle income earners.   

The firm, which also doubles up as a specialist in solar energy, looks to deliver sustainable housing projects in both Kenya and Mauritius.   

According to the Director of Capstone, Mr David Sweed, developers, authorities, financial institutions are all missing an opportunity by focusing residential developments on the property for the well paid or high end.  

In Kenya, according to a recent report by Cytonn notes that with a rapidly growing population and more so, an increasing middle class, the residential sector has recorded the highest demand with the nationwide housing deficit standing at 200,000 units annually and an accumulated deficit of over 2 million units.   

However, the largest demand has been for affordable housing to cater for the 61% of urban dwellers who live in slums and shortage in student accommodation accounting for 40% of the deficit.   

This therefore is an investment opportunity for developers to increasingly apply for low-cost housing construction methods such as alternative building technologies which are known to reduce construction costs by as much as 50%.   

“We target to build affordable homes made from cellular pre-fabricated concrete technology, introduce sustainable solutions (e.g. solar power or waste to energy), and create jobs for the local population.” A statement Capstone reads.  

In addition, with the demand for a live-work-play lifestyle, master planned communities are increasing with areas such as Kiambu and Machakos counties becoming hotspots. Notable master planned communities are the likes of Konza City, Tatu City, and Cytonn’s Newtown.   

This is what Capstone intends to invest in. Capstone Projects thus aims to support the poorest citizens by giving them a start through housing that places people in decent accommodation and connects them to employment and society.   

Also Read:  The future of Kenya’s real estate, construction

The  Kenyan government has continued to push for the delivery of the targeted 0.5 million units but the implementation of the projects has continued to lag behind with less than 1,000 units delivered so far mainly through the Park Road Project and Pangani Estate, while other projects such as Shauri Moyo, Makongeni and Starehe houses are still in the pipeline.  

The Kenyan government has made progress towards the affordable Housing goal of constructing 500,000 homes by 2022. In January last year, it signed a deal with various British Investors at the inaugural UKAfrica Summit to develop 80,000 units across the country. Therefore the move by Capstone to invest in housing projects in Kenya comes in at a time when the government is keen on investments in the real estate sector.  

However there have been challenges. According to an industry analysis by Cytonn, some of these challenges have been linked to the unavailability of affordable financing to developers. So Capstone’s move is a welcome idea to address some of these issues.   

“We are currently in the process of  looking for suitable land for development. We are also in talks with power Distribution Company – Kenya Power- as we wish to o bring innovative power solutions to buildings that we construct,” Mr Sweeds says adding that this will be a move to address high cost of power within the housing projects as well as to provide a reliable source of power to the residents.   

Capstone has also partnered with Chinese experts to come up with an innovation that will see to it that the solar energy is well stored for use of up to 8 hours.   

The housing projects, once they are complete, will be available for the rent to buy option, direct buyers as well as those who prefer to get financing from the bank to get access to these projects.   

Other challenges experienced within the Country’s real estate sector include  failure to fast track incentives provided in support of the affordable housing initiative as well as the ineffectiveness of Public-Private Partnerships. Obstacles in the capital markets regulatory framework, which make it difficult to raise capital for real estate development, and the current economic slowdown due to the ongoing pandemic have also been cited as challenges facing the industry.   

Many latest reports, including Shelter Afrique 2019, report of acute housing shortage across Africa currently estimating a need for 56 million housing units of which 90% (45 million) fall within the affordable housing bracket.   

“The supply of affordable housing units in Africa remains a key social and economic challenge with the supply deficit continuing to increase. As at the end of 2019, the estimated supply deficit in Africa stood at 56 million units.” Says the Managing Director  Shelter Afrique  Mr. Andrew Pandeka Chimphondah.  

The  Shelter Afrique  report also identifies that 17 African countries have a housing deficit of over 1 million units, amongst them Tanzania and DRC both urgently needing at least 3 million. South Africa, Madagascar and Kenya are all reported to have a shortfall of 2 million units.   

The reason for the slow uptake of these projects according to the report by Shelter Afrique, is because the Private sector neither has the will nor the incentive to take on affordable housing.   

Also Read:  Is the pandemic a blessing in disguise for real estate?

“It is for this reason that the government must intervene, and the government usually does not have the technical capacity or the systems to deliver on affordable housing, and this is where the private sector plays a role. However, there are no policies to address this in Africa or where they exist, they are unclear. This thinking shaped our activities and direction in 2019; we believe that unlocking our second strategic goal will unlock the other strategic objectives.” The study reads in part.   

Capstone therefore comes in to demystify the real estate sector as we know it by providing social amenities within the estates where the projects shall be set up.   

“We are also looking at investing in a reliable transport system to ease movements for the residents as well as dropping off students to schools etc,” says Mr Sweed.   

Capstone has so far identified Kenya and Mauritius for this ambitious project and intends to kick off the projects this year.   

“We have chosen the two countries because looking at their stability, they have ranked very well for the past decade. This is a very good environment for investment,” Mr Sweed adds.   

 Also read:  The future of Kenya’s real estate, construction

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Capstone Ministries

“The stone the builder’s rejected has become the capstone.” Psalm 118:22

Welcome to capstone ministries.

In Kisumu more than 1000 children, mostly boys, live full-time on the streets, begging and stealing to survive.  They sleep in open parks, on the sidewalks in front of shops and even in the sewers.  Few believe that they can or even should be rehabilitated.  But at Capstone we believe that every child has value and every child should know the love of God and family.

The process is often filled with challenges. Shame, discouragement, hopelessness, poverty, HIV, malaria, alcoholism and substance abuse are just a few of the ongoing challenges of this work.  Sometimes the road is rough and the setbacks are discouraging but we know God is able and desires change in these children and in their families.

What We Have Done

To date Capstone has reconciled 678 children with their families. Capstone staff reach out to boys on the street and encourage them to go home.  Capstone believes that it is best to reintegrate street boys directly from the street and then  make frequent follow up visits to families of the reconciled boys. Institutionalizing street children–even for a short time–often leads to dependency.  To read more about Capstone Ministries just click on the pages below.

You can view a short clip about Capstone Camp 2015 here:

Short Version Capstone Camp 2015 Video_CLIPCHAMP_720p (1)

Message From Pastor Dan & Patty Schmelzer

We thank you for visiting our website. We welcome your questions and your response.  A monthly newsletter is available below.  You can also have it emailed to you directly. You can write to us as the directors at [email protected] .

Consider a special Christmas gift and direct your gift for a specific need. Just click here for your options. Christmas appeal

God bless you.

Our Projects

Bible study.

“The word of God is alive and active, sharper than a double edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12

Essential to any mission work is the application of the Word of God to relationships. It is the Word of God that changes people. Changing man’s relationship with God is the distinguishing mark of missionary activity.  Missionaries who have been in the field for some time also realize that the real challenge is to find the most effective way in which to share the Word so that the change is genuine and long lasting. Capstone currently has organized 19 small group Bible Studies for parents of reconciled children. [Read More]

Education is valued by the Kenyan culture and even primary school age children see education as the path to success. Success is, however, linked to performance on the KCPE (Kenya Certificate of Primary Education) exams taken by 8 th grade pupils. Preparing for this 3 day long exam is largely placed on the shoulders of the pupil himself/herself. With this in mind, Capstone Ministries decided a few years ago to provide a preparatory study guide for this exam called a “High Flyer.” [Read More]

High School Sponsorship

High School education is not free in Kenya. The fees can be beyond the means of poor rural families. Typically fees average $650 per year for the high schools for which our boys qualify. Seven years ago, we realized that boys whom we had reconciled with families were graduating from primary school with grades that would qualify them for some good boarding schools in Kenya. We encourage individuals, churches, and foundations to donate to our Scholarship Fund for education. Currently we have 42 boys who are sponsored in secondary school. [Read More]

Capstone Camp 2016

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Please feel free to forward our newsletter to friends and family who might have an interest in our ministry at Capstone Ministries!

Support Capstone

We offer giving opportunities by credit / debit card or by text through Giving Tools. This is an easy way to support Capstone. Just click on the " Donate thru Giving Tools " button below to be linked to the Capstone giving page.

You can also support Capstone with a tax deductible gift from your checking account using PayPal . Opening a PayPal account is quick and easy.

Capstone Ministries, Inc. is a 501 c3 non profit organization and all donations are tax deductible .

Capstone Faith

The Capstone Karen masterplan concept draws from a series of design drivers all meant to reflect Capstone’s foundational brief and various Biblical analogies. The masterplan comprises the ministerial buildings, housing, and outdoor landscaped area.

The design of the ministerial buildings consists of three pavilions – forming a triad of sorts. The pavilions are The Sanctuary, The Administrative Building, and The Sunday School Building. They are set in and surrounded by a lush and verdant landscape that rings their positions to create a sense of spiritual tranquil: the place of refuge in a weary land. The three pavilions share a powerful concentric courtyard that unites them – reflecting a three but one triad. It is a functional and powerful space that can serve for various events and functions.

The assembly of buildings is surrounded by two rings of pathways that will be intentionally treed and landscaped to create a comfortable meditative circuit. The aim is to define an interpretive experience that tells the ministry story as congregants and visitors use the space. The very entrance and arrival experience are similarly envisioned to be a powerful one incorporating waterways, gardens, and appropriate drop-offs/pickup points. At the forest edge of the campus are a few residential cottages that will sit within a quiet and forested neighborhood.

• Project Type : Arts & Culture
• Service Provided : Architects, Urban Planning
• location : Karen, Nairobi, Kenya
• Status : Proposal

Home > Public Health > IPH_CAPSTONE

Public Health Capstone Projects

Capstone projects from 2024 2024.

Can’t Help You Here; Barriers to Access and Necessary Measures for Improving Health Inequities for Transgender Sex Workers , Andrew E. Colvin

PrEP Inequities Among Black and Latino MSM in the United States: Identifying Barriers and Opportunities Using a Social Ecological Model (SEM) Framework , Ryan Fisher

Tracking Childhood Vaccination Trends by Race: Analyzing MMR-Only, DTaP-Only, and Varicella-Only Vaccine Coverage Rates from 2016-2022 , Victoria Gallagher

Payment Assessment of Giving Birth in America Among Insurance Types for Years 2017 through 2021 , Jacy D. Harrell

The Association between Oral Contraceptives and Cardiovascular Disease: A Biomarker Analysis using Total Cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein, and High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein , Maryam Z. Kenning

The Relationship between Mental and Environmental Health in Urban Salvador Brazil: Development of a Research Protocol , Rashad Parmer

Long COVID Among US Women: Racial Disparities and the Mediating Role of Severe COVID Infection , Amelia Phan

Analyzing the Associations between Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Childhood ADHD Prevalence, Demographics and Environmental Factors in the United States , Reisha Rhodenbaugh

The Most Diverse Square Mile in America: Sociodemographic, Health Profiles, and Access to Healthcare among the Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant Population in Clarkston, Georgia , Win Min Thein

Assessment of a Multidisciplinary Feeding Program's Caregiver Education Material through the Application of Health Literacy Principles , Mary Thomas

Capstone Projects from 2023 2023

Positive Behavior Support Parent Academy Curriculum - An Additional Approach , Lupe Arteaga

Association between Socio economic Factors and Contraceptive Use among Married Women in Guinea and Mali: An Examination of the Demographic and Health Survey Data 2018 , Mamadou Abdoulaye R Diallo

Fall Risk Assessment of Elderly Community-Dwelling Individuals , Jha'Meisheia Griffin

Reducing Health Disparities for U.S. Hispanics by Increasing the Cultural Literacy of Nutrition Professionals , Norma Esther Guardado López

The Associations between Selected Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Health Factors for Depression in Elderly Americans , Pema Lhewa

Epigenetic Changes and Health Disparities: An Evaluation Plan for Mamatoto Village Programming , Diamond T. Robinson

Adapting the International Protocol for Sexual Violence within the Department of Defense: Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office , Tehnyat Sohail

Stigma, Social Norms, and Culture as Mediators of HIV and AIDS Incidence in South Africa , Skyeisha Swain

Capstone Projects from 2022 2022

Survival of Anthrax Patients with Fluid Collections by Treatment Status , Sophie Binney

A Review of Economic Policies to Reduce and Prevent Child Maltreatment and Other Adverse Childhood Experiences , Kaila Farmer

Behavioral and Epidemiological factors behind Vaccine Hesitancy in The United States , Maggie Hanusek

The Evaluation Plan for the LGBTQ+ Runaway & Homelessness Youth (LRHY) Outreach Program , Jade Matthews

Analysis of the Association between Physical and Mental Health in Adults: Understanding the Literature and Developing a Plan for Future Research , Max Moskowitz

Health Insurance Status and Severe Maternal Morbidity Outcomes in the United States - A Policy Review , Adejumobi Otekunrin

The Associations Between Overweight/Obesity Among Children and Select Social and Economic Predictors , Lauren A. Powell

“We Really are Seeing Racism in the Hospitals”: Racism and Doula Care , Ayeesha Sayyad

Concepts for Antiracist Policy Formulation , Sophia Steinberg

“a Doula Is Not a Visitor...a Birth Doula Is an Essential Part of the Birth Team”: Interprofessional Dynamics among Doulas, Doctors, and Nurses , Kaniya Williamson

Capstone Projects from 2021 2021

Challenges and Prospects of Implementing Mobile Health in Angola: Lessons Learned from Kenya and Denmark. , Maria da Graca Ambrosio

Evaluating Funding Structures of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Metropolitan Atlanta: A Basis for Public Policy , Mamta Sanam Chaudhary

Levels of Engagement in a Comprehensive Parenting Intervention to Reduce Child Neglect Among Mothers without a High School Diploma: A Profile Examination , De Gao

The Need for Speed: Broadband Access as a Social Determinant of Health , Mwoddah Habib

An Evaluation Plan for Georgia's Injury Prevention Program , Joy Ngene

Examining United States Drug Policy from 2010-2021: A Qualitative Summation Using PEST Framework Model , Izadora A. Nunes

U.S. Rural Healthcare Shortage: A Review of Strategies in the U.S., Canada, and Colombia. , Carlos Perez

Comparing Water Quality Data of Atlanta's Sewage Overflows and Spills , Bonnie M. Pirlot

Policy Recommendations to Address Disproportionate Health Outcomes Caused by Healthy Food Access in Relation to Housing Districts Segregated by Class and Race , Roselyn Quarcoo

Characterization of Hand Hygiene Techniques Among Intensive Care Nurses: A Descriptive Study , Ashley L. Reyes

Analysis of Loss of Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States , Mira Shah

Research Proposal: COVID-19 Pandemic and Birth Experiences: Describing the Relationship Between Policies and the Birth Experiences of Georgia Mothers , Katherine Thornburgh

Georgia Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Resource and Protocol Guide , Sanon Williams

Developing and Disseminating the Children’s Environmental Health Index with Web GIS , Allegra Yeley

Branched Chain Amino Acids and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Literature Review , Alina Yemelyanov

Capstone Projects from 2020 2020

The Role of Policy in Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Childhood Trauma in Georgia , Hallie Andrews

StayNeighbor: Community Platform for Essential Supplies and Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic , Samuel Archbold

Strategies in Maintaining Financial Sustainability of National Health Insurance Under A Single-payer System in Indonesia, Taiwan, and Canada: A Comparative Study , Arif Budiman

Aligning the Georgia Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Plan with Governor Kemp's Priorities and Initiatives , Taylor Jennings

Healthcare for All: Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through the Strengthening of Health Systems , Diene Kaba

Youth Vaping: An Analysis of an Epidemic , Tina Kilpatrick

Georgia’s Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Technical Assistance Resource Guide (TARG) Evaluation Report , Maureen Oginga

U.S. Opioid Epidemic: Challenges and Opportunities for Evidence-based Policies , Imoh S. Okon

The Association between Mental Illness and Incarceration Among the African American/Black Population in the United States , Brittany Oladipupo

Capstone Projects from 2019 2019

A Cross-Sectional Study to Identify Factors Associated with Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Among Foreign-Born In DeKalb County Georgia During 2008-2018 , Chinedu F. Egbuonu

WHO Drinking Water Guidelines , Aja Jagne

Evaluating Strategies for Community-sourced Photography for Mapping Alcohol Adverts in the Urban Slums in Kampala, Uganda , Joseph Madden

Community Organizing as a Vehicle to Promote Public Health in Clarkston, GA: A Literature Review & Case Study of Georgia Refugee Health and Mental Health , Maylott Mulugeta

The Use of Art to Increase Awareness about Mental Well-being and Promotion of Mental Health among the African American Community , Andromada Murden

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Opt-out Testing in a Southern Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) , Leah Pinholster

A Resource Guide on the Epidemiology, Prevention, and Treatment of Opioid and Other Substance Use. , Anthony F. Rotoloni

Promoting an Urban Utopia: The Role of Community Gardens on Community Vitality , Kayla Danielle Staley

Augmenting Coastal Georgia’s Fresh-Water Supply while Reducing Local Salt-Water Intrusion into Groundwater Reservoirs , Forrest A. Strickland

Capstone Projects from 2018 2018

A Resource Guide To Empower Older Adults to Make Informed Health Decisions About Prescription Opioids And The Potential For Misuse , Kandia S. Al-Haddad

Program Evaluation Aspects of Atlanta Streets Alive , Rebecca A. Ament

A Systematic Analysis of Hepatitis C Virus Screening Trends and Linkage to Care Program in the United States , Ijeoma Azih

Understanding Educational Vulnerability in the Context of Disasters Using Visualizations , Cherish Caldwell

Tobacco-free Campus Post-implementation Program , Ashley Campbell

Examining the Relationship between Drought and Mental Health Outcomes of Depression and Anxiety in the U.S. , Robyn J. Cathey

Urban Water Planning in Lagos, Nigeria: An Analysis of Current Infrastructure Developments and Future Water Management Solutions , Adaure Chiori

A Review of Childhood Obesity Prevention Efforts among Evidence-Based Home Visiting Programs , Olga Costa

Prevention Messages to Reduce the Risk of Shigellosis among Men who have Sex with Men , Steve Evener

A Baseline Comparison of PATSCH and Parent as Teachers , Irasema Garcia-Rosales

A Mobile Initiative for Waste Disposal in Bringing Awareness to the Damage Littering Behavior Has on Storm Drains , Kimberly Hung

Examining the Community Outreach Efforts of Local African American Religious Organizations in Relation to Drug Use and HIV Transmission , Alyshia Jackson

A Qualitative Analysis of the Environmental and Personal Factors which Influence the Help-Seeking Behaviors of Men who have Sex with Men in Light of the Emerging Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance to Shigella Bacteria , Kathleen Jacobson

Alcohol Use among Orphans in Sub-saharan Africa: a Literature Review , Megan M. Mallett

Community- Based Walking Programs to Reduce Chronic Illness Among Racial/Ethnic Minorities in Limited Resource Neighborhoods: A Literature Review and Program Materials for Walk the Line , Alanti McGill

Consolidating Resources for the Aged-Out Human Trafficking Population Using a Mobile Application , Soumya Nalli

Mobile Application for Survivors of Domestic Violence , Varsha Neelam

A Historical Review of the Influenza Outbreaks Within Military Settings and Understanding the Viral Spread of the 1918 Influenza Pandemic , Naomi Ngadiman

How Social and Lifestyle Factors of African American Women Influence Behavior and Prevalence of Obesity: Literature Review , Briana E. Oliver

The Epidemiology of Wasting in Nigeria , Oluwatoyin Victoria Omotosho

Understanding Open Access Data Using Visualizations in R , Hazel Shah

An Evaluation of A National Sexual Violence Prevention Program: The Rape Prevention and Education Program , Arielle Shiver

Protecting College Students with Good Samaritan Policies: A Call to Action! , Nia Sutton

Assessment of Policies and Programs That Apply Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study Research , Rohjan Tajik

Capstone Projects from 2017 2017

Policy Recommendations for Addressing Health Insurance Network Adequacy and Provider Network Standards in the Georgia Insurance Market , Oluwatoyin Adedapo-Jimoh

A Grant Proposal to Evaluate the Effect Antibiotic TB Treatment has on the Gut Microbiota and on Metabolic Functions of Pediatric TB Patients in Dekalb County , Oluwatobiloba Adeola Akingbade

An Evaluation of a School-based Behavioral Health Initiative in Three Rural Counties , Bianca Anderson

Relationships Between Physical Activity and Neighborhood Walking Characteristics: Analysis of the 2015 National Health Interview Survey , Colby Brown

Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes in populations of African Descent , Kenyatta Bruce

Physical Injury as a Result of Intimate Partner Violence: An Individual, County, and State Level Analysis , Sharon Caslin

Factors That Contribute to The Disproportionate Rates of HIV among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): A Systematic Review , Santanna S. Comer

Exploring Mental Health Services for Women Post Incarceration , Jalisa Cruver

An Examination of Metabolic Syndrome in Asthmatic Subjects: A Study Using the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey , Jasmine N. Cunningham

Health Interventions to Promote the Polio Vaccine within the Global Polio Eradication Initiative: A Systematic Review From 2000-2014. , Aime Serge Dali

Evidence of Injury Following Sexual Assault: A Research Proposal , Brea Echard

Street Medicine: A Program Evaluation , Ariel L. Edwards

Exploring Strategies to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Among Students in a School Cafeteria , Abigail Furtner

Branched Chain Amino Acids: Causal or Predictive of Type 2 Diabetes , Jency George

A Systematic Review on the Association Between Hormonal Contraception and Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Positive Women , Evan Graham

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UW Oshkosh Today

Uw oshkosh senior uses capstone project to help kickstart kenyan soccer program.

by Shane Nyman | May 6, 2020 | Business , Features

Someday, hopefully more sooner than later, sports will resume and the world will look more like what we’re used to. When that happens, soccer players in a small community on the other side of the world will have more to celebrate than just the return to normalcy thanks to a University of Wisconsin Oshkosh senior.

By mid-March, Sophia Mazurek, a marketing major from Germantown, had rounded up 50 soccer balls, hundreds of T-shirts and piles of other donated equipment to be shipped to a place called Kijani Farm in Kenya. It’s the cause-driven path she selected for her College of Business (COB) capstone project, which was drawn up and executed—as best it could under the circumstances brought on by the coronavirus crisis—over the spring term.

“I’m super excited to continue to keep working on this project,” said Mazurek, “and it won’t be stopping when I am done with this class. This is something that I will be continuing to do after college.

“I am also very happy that I started this right away in the semester so that I was able to receive donations early on.”

The project is part of marketing professor Mike Tippins’ Business Growth and Development class. Called Moving the Needle, the assignment is one of the culminating experience courses for the COB, meaning students pull together everything they’ve learned and apply it. It is fully student defined—they come up with the idea, make a plan and execute it.

UW Oshkosh senior Anna Scheibe poses with soccer equipment donated for her friend and fellow UWO senior Sophia Mazurek’s capstone project.

Mazurek, who would be playing out her senior year with the Titans golf team if not for the crisis, zeroed in on her plans in February and connected with her roommate’s aunt, Heather Dellamater, who helped organize the gospel-focused African community. Among the developments happening at Kijani Farm is the building of a soccer complex. Mazurek’s donations will help with the project.

“I’ve been seeing pictures and videos of kids and adults playing on it so that’s very heartwarming to see,” Mazurek said earlier this spring. “Just knowing that I was a part of making this field happen feels really good.”

Beyond the balls, clothing and equipment, her Moving the Needle plans also included a monetary fundraiser, likely including a team-up with an Oshkosh restaurant or two. There also have been talks about sending two coaches from a Milwaukee-area soccer complex to Kenya. It’s all sort of on hold for the time being, much like the actual delivery of the goods.

Tippins’ class launched about five years ago and this semester includes about 70 students. Each is asked to complete the Moving the Needle assignment and it can either be centered around an entrepreneurial idea or cause. Part of the challenge is the parameters are minimal. It can go wherever the students want to take it.

Mike Tippins

Mazurek is an example of a student who went the cause route. Others include Kurtis Hoffman, a senior marketing major from Fond du Lac, who raised more than $500 for the Oshkosh dog shelter NEW PAWSibilities. That sum was enough to feed the animals on site for a month. Fellow marketing major Jesse Liverette organized an online fundraiser and gathered about $150 to aid the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry.

Tippins said the Moving the Needle project is an opportunity to showcase what these COB students are capable of outside the classroom.

“We know that they can take direction and do what is asked—complete this case study, write a report about that company—but so can every other college of business student at every other university,” he said. “What this project shows to employers is that our students not only come up with great ideas, but they also are doers.”

Learn more:

• ‘Find silver linings’: COB dean shares advice for waiting out pandemic
• Donating it forward: UWO’s Cabinet donates to Oshkosh pantry
• UW Oshkosh College of Business

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Keeping the Embers Alive: Biden Reignites U.S.-Africa Relations with Kenyan State Visit

Photo: SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images

Commentary by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele , Cameron Hudson , Khasai Makhulo , and Catherine Nzuki

Published May 10, 2024

Black, red, and green will color the streets of Washington, D.C., on May 23, 2024, as the Kenyan flag is raised to welcome President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Chebet for the Republic of Kenya’s third state visit to the United States in its history. The last official state visit from an African leader to the United States was President John Kufour of Ghana in 2008.

This state visit comes at an important moment for the U.S.-Kenya bilateral relationship, but it carries even more significance for U.S.-Africa relations more broadly. After President Biden broke his pledge to visit Africa during his first term in office, this visit will be viewed by many observers as a fig leaf and presented by the White House as a demonstration of the president’s continued commitment to the continent. Had President Biden traveled to Africa, it would have been the first U.S. presidential visit to the continent since President Barack Obama visited Ethiopia and Kenya in 2015. Instead, Washington now appears to be playing catch-up in its engagement with Africa, despite having a long history of diplomatic and development partnerships with African countries going back to the Clinton administration. The emergence and enthusiasm of a host of entrants, like China and Russia, who like Washington now have decades of ties to Africa, as well as newer entrants like Turkey, India, and Saudi Arabia, have highlighted that Washington should urgently step up the quantity and quality of its engagements across Africa. This shift is underscored by a recent Gallup poll which found that approval of China’s leadership has overtaken that of U.S. leadership on the continent.

As Kenya is one of Washington’s closest allies on the continent, Biden will also aim to tout the strength of U.S.-Kenya bilateral ties, highlight the growing leadership role Kenya is playing on the continent, and signal the importance of Africa to the Biden administration’s national security outlook during Ruto’s visit.

The Biden Administration’s Objectives for President Ruto’s State Visit

The Biden administration has made concerted efforts to repair U.S.-Africa relations, which frayed during the Trump administration. The administration released its U.S. Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa in August 2022, calling for a transformation of U.S.-Africa relationships into equal partnerships that advance the strategic interests of both Americans and Africans. The Biden administration also hosted the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit of December 2022, the first one held since 2016, and was successful in bringing together delegations from 49 African countries to Washington for three days of engagement. Both the strategy and the summit, though largely symbolic, were important signals sent to African leaders that the United States was ready to become a stronger and more reliable partner across a range of political, trade, and security issues.

Following the launch of the strategy and the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, there have been high expectations for the Biden administration’s engagement in Africa. The State Department has been fairly diligent in executing the promises made during the summit, which was underscored by a flurry of senior-level trips to Africa throughout 2023 regarding many issues of high importance to African leaders, like reforming the UN Security Council to add a permanent African seat and restructuring global financial institutions to work better for poor countries.

In 2023, President Biden only made one phone call to an African head of state—and that was to President Ruto to discuss an issue (Haiti) on Biden’s agenda, not Ruto’s. This visit will be an opportunity for him to tout his administration’s achievements in Africa following the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. Given that it is an election year, Biden is likely to use this as an opportunity to continue to distinguish his engagement with Africa from former president Trump’s approach, which many Africans feel was at best complacent and at worst contemptuous toward issues of concern to them.

In more practical terms, President Biden will be looking to forge stronger security ties with Kenya as Nairobi has shown both a willingness and ability to lead as a security partner in East Africa. The East African Community (EAC) regional bloc recently admitted the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Somalia to its membership. As Kenya is the United States’ closest ally in the bloc, Washington is relying heavily on Kenya to play peacemaker in the DRC, be a counterterrorism partner in Somalia, and serve as a base for U.S. forces in East Africa at Mamba Bay.

Washington is also looking to Nairobi for support with the crisis in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, an issue that is rapidly emerging as a domestic election issue for President Biden. Although the Kenyan parliament temporarily halted the Kenyan-led, UN-authorized multinational mission to deploy at least 1,000 police officers to Haiti in March, starting in late May Kenyan forces are expected to begin deploying forces to Haiti. The United States is contributing a total of $300 million to the multinational security mission, and Biden will be looking to tout the Kenyan-led mission as a sign of his administration’s commitment to restoring security and calm in Haiti.

The Ruto Administration’s Objectives for the State Visit

President Ruto’s state visit is in many ways the capstone to his efforts to position himself and his country as one of Africa’s leading voices on issues such as trade, security, climate, and finance and to position Kenya as a prime destination for U.S. investment. His trip comes on the heels of a number of highly publicized events, like his road show last September to Silicon Valley with former eBay CEO and current U.S. ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman and his hosting of the African Climate Summit , which helped raise his personal profile on the world stage and position Kenya as a spokesman on critical development issues impacting all of Africa.

But juxtaposed with the image of a country and a leader on the rise, Ruto faces stiff political and economic headwinds at home that have him under pressure to leverage his time in Washington to “bring home the bacon.” President Ruto stated that his trip to the United States will center “trade and investment.” This is an opportunity for Ruto to fulfill his campaign promise to create the “hustler” economy that he has struggled to deliver. Feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living and tax hikes, Kenyans took to the streets in 2023 to protest . Therefore, Ruto will be looking for some signature investment deals to announce to demonstrate that average Kenyans are also benefiting from his global gallivanting. Pressing forward with concrete proposals to shape the next generation of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act legislation that is starting to work its way through the U.S. Congress will also likely be on Ruto’s agenda. He’ll attempt to maximize the benefit to Kenyan industry regarding everything from technology to cut flowers.

Security is likely to be Ruto’s other big talking point. He will have to find a way to manage his highly publicized commitment to deploy Kenyan forces to confront spiraling violence half a world away in Haiti while Africa has no shortage of security needs going unmet. The 2022 deployment of Kenyan forces to the DRC as part of the East African Community Regional Force was ineffective . Ruto will also likely be looking to translate the United States’ ever-expanding troop presence at its base in Manda Bay, as well as Kenya’s diplomatic and security efforts in a range of African hotspots important to Washington (e.g., Somalia, Sudan, and the DRC), into greater training and arms transfers for his Kenyan forces. 

The Geopolitical Context for Ruto’s State Visit

African leaders, who face their own domestic challenges with limited means to address them, typically shy away from taking on regional leadership roles in Africa’s fast-changing economic and security landscape. Not Kenya and not William Ruto, however: for the past three years, starting with Ruto’s predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya has steadily expanded its reach on the world stage, first in its backyard, and now under Ruto across the transatlantic world.

As the largest economy in the EAC, Kenya is at the forefront of trade and commerce within the subregion. Its strong financial sector, with actors such as Equity Bank , and its robust agricultural sector have helped Kenya project its economic influence beyond its borders for years. Kenya pushed for and succeeded in bringing the DRC into the EAC, a feat that would have been unimaginable five years ago.

Kenya also has been adept at capitalizing on regional conflicts , from Somalia to Ethiopia to the DRC, and turning them into opportunities for regional leadership on the political and security fronts. President Ruto has been particularly proactive and committed to carving out a leadership role in a fast-changing region, wading into spaces from climate change to peacekeeping and debt relief that would have been claimed by South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, or Ethiopia. As those four countries navigate tense and uneasy relations with the United States due to deep disagreements over Gaza, Russia, M23, and LGBTQ+ rights, Kenya is blazing a trail through complex great power competition dynamics as a reliable African interlocutor for the United States, the European Union, and China.

Amid great power competition between the United States, China , and Russia , Kenya has emerged as a careful broker that has successfully leveraged bilateral ties with all three powers to their own benefit. For instance, President Ruto, who had been a strong critic of the Kenyatta administration regarding Kenya’s indebtedness to China, met with President Xi Jinping in October 2023 as part of a three-day state visit to Beijing. He asked for $1 billion in loans, adding to Kenya’s $6.3 billion debt to China, to help complete infrastructure projects. The trip further strengthened Kenya-China relations.

Kenya is also home to a major Belt and Road Initiative project, the Nairobi-Mombasa railway . This railway connects Kenya’s commercial capital to the coast and was built by Chinese contractors using Chinese loans to the Kenyan government. Despite Nairobi’s growing ties to Beijing, Kenya remains the closest partner of the United States in East Africa and one of its closest allies on the continent. President Ruto’s visit to Washington, D.C., represents a significant milestone in the diplomatic relationship between the United States and Kenya. Furthermore, this African state visit holds considerable significance for both presidents’ resumes because the trickle-down effects of this visit will traverse beyond Kenya and the United States to nations such as the DRC and Haiti.

Mvemba Phezo Dizolele is a senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, D.C. Cameron Hudson is a senior fellow in the Africa Program at CSIS. Khasai Makhulo is the program coordinator and research assistant for the Africa Program at CSIS. Catherine Nzuki is an associate fellow for the Africa Program at CSIS.

Commentary is produced by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a private, tax-exempt institution focusing on international public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan and nonproprietary. CSIS does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).

© 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. All rights reserved.

Mvemba Phezo Dizolele

Cameron Hudson

Khasai Makhulo

Catherine Nzuki

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This case study focuses on non-standardized addresses in Kenya and their negative impact on delivery infrastructure. Through extensive research and stakeholder engagement workshops, our team developed a digital addressing minimal viable product. We utilized a user-centered design and design thinking approach to product development ensuring desirability, feasibility, and viability. The MVP includes features allowing users to provide delivery instructions for better driver context. This solution enhances customer experience by providing accurate doorstep deliveries, and improved location identification and communication. Once completely implemented, this Bawbab can enable doorstep delivery for 38M Kenyan residents.

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Commencement 2024 Information >

Saint michael’s celebrates three fulbright winners.

Three students from Saint Michael’s were selected as Fulbright winners for the 2024-25 academic year and will all depart in January 2025 for their selected countries. All three will be working as English Teaching Assistants.

Abdimalik Hashi M’24, who is graduating from Saint Michael’s MATESOL program, will be in Kenya; Carson O’Neil ’23 will be in Costa Rica; and Willow Schaefer ’24 will be in South Korea.

Last year, Saint Michael’s was recognized by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs for being one of the colleges and universities with the highest number of students selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. This was the second time Saint Michael’s was recognized as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution.

Patricia Siplon, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, Director of Public Health, and Director for undergraduate and post-graduate fellowships at Saint Michael’s, supports applicants to the Fulbright program at Saint Michael’s and said each of this year’s three winners has a unique story to tell. Siplon said she is “looking forward to continuing the work to propel our campus into having a thriving and full-scale Fulbright culture.”

Abdimalik Hashi M’24, Kenya

Abdimalik Hashi M’24 is graduating from Saint Michael’s MATESOL program and won a Fulbright scholarship to travel to Kenya. Last year, he was president of the MLK Jr. Society at Saint Michael’s. He is also a logistics officer in the U.S. Army and drives for Uber for fun. He said he loves learning from others.

“In my own journey, I had a lot of great teachers,” Hashi said. “When we think about English and teaching, it’s usually the biggest gap that stops people from going to college.”

Hashi said Siplon encouraged him to apply for a Fulbright scholarship during an International Coffee Hour meetup. He only had a couple of weeks to complete his application.

Hashi was born in Kenya and moved to the United States when he was eight with his mom and two sisters. He grew up in Greeley, Colorado, and went to college in Minnesota where his family later moved.

“My mom always wanted to transition into another country where we would have more opportunities,” Hashi said.

Hashi said he hasn’t been back to Kenya since 2006, but his mom has since retired in Kenya. He’s looking forward to seeing his mom and additional family members when he has time off from his English Teaching Assistant position.

He credits Saint Michael’s Center for Student Diversity, Empowerment, and Community (DEC), its Director Sarah Childs and Assistant Director Choeden Lama, for helping him win a Fulbright, as well as the MATESOL Department, the Edmundites, and Siplon.

“There is a significant amount of people in specific departments that go the extra mile for so many students and I feel tremendously grateful for them,” Hashi said.

He moved to Vermont in summer 2021 and joined the Vermont National Guard.

“I find a sense of meaning in having a leadership role, listening to people, and doing the fundamental things that leaders are supposed to do, which is solve problems so that others can thrive at what they do,” he said.

Through his MATESOL program at Saint Michael’s, Hashi has had the opportunity to visit schools in Burlington to observe different grade levels.

“For me, I really want to be an educator here in Vermont,” Hashi said. “One of the things I’ve noticed is diversity is a priority, but recruitment is not at its peak.”

Hashi said he would like to return to Vermont after his Fulbright to teach at Winooski or Burlington High School and has his sights set on becoming a principal one day.

“My main drive is to be in a classroom and be the person that students can see themselves in, regardless of their background, and give them the tools they need and reinforce it in their head that anything they want to achieve, they can,” Hashi said.

Hashi said he had a middle school teacher and two high school teachers who were that person for him. They fundamentally changed his life. In college, at Saint John’s University in Minnesota, he had a professor from Brazil.

“That was the first time I saw myself thinking about more education when I saw someone like him,” Hashi said. “Most of my professors were white. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there’s this feeling you get when they tell you, ‘Abdi, you have so much potential.’ It doesn’t feel like they can understand the obstacles or the things that naturally come with the Black experience in America. But when [my college professor] told me, and he told me about his experience, there are a lot of things that resonated. That’s what really drew me to education. It was not only representation but making sure that everyone has it in their ear that their goals can be achieved and showing them that its possible.”

He thinks Saint Michael’s would benefit from offering an anonymous survey to all students to rate every single facet of the College, beyond the classroom rating of their professors, to give a broader picture of the climate on campus and help implement change. This is the type of foundation Hashi says he is building on as an educator himself. As a teacher, Hashi said he wants to focus on Black joy, Black future, and bringing more diverse excellence to his community.

Carson O’Neil ’23, Costa Rica

Carson O’Neil ’23 won a Fulbright scholarship to Costa Rica where he will be an English Teaching Assistant in 2025. He plans to pursue conservation work in his off-time and create a travel vlog while there. O’Neil grew up in Keene, New Hampshire, and was a double major at Saint Michael’s in Public Health and French and a triple minor in Business Administration, Health Equity and Global Health.

“In Costa Rica, the sense of community is so strong,” O’Neil said. He recalled the constant stream of horns beeping from locals saying “hi” to each other.

Each night at the sea turtle nursery, O’Neil’s group walked the beaches looking for turtle nests. On two occasions, he watched a female sea turtle walk from the ocean shore to lay her eggs in the beach brush. He vividly recalled watching in awe as the turtle used her back legs to dig a huge hole in the sand to lay her eggs. O’Neil and the other volunteers quickly caught the eggs and brought them back to the nursery.

In the nursery, the volunteers would dig a hole in the sand to replicate the nest. There, the eggs were protected from predators and poachers and could safely hatch. Once hatched, O’Neil helped release the sea turtles back into the ocean.

“It was the most incredible experience,” O’Neil recalled.

O’Neil said that life-changing experience motivated him to apply for a Fulbright scholarship in Costa Rica.

It was the second time he’d applied. The year before, he’d applied for a Fulbright scholarship in Argentina. O’Neil wasn’t selected but two of his friends were Fulbright winners. Natalia “Aisha” Navarrete ’23 and Alexyah Dethvongsa ’22, are currently abroad on Fulbright scholarships in Mexico and Thailand, respectively.

“I’ve been watching them in these two countries, and they are both having incredible times,” O’Neil said. “I wanted to apply again.”

O’Neil graduated from Saint Michael’s last year and immediately accepted a position in the College’s Office of Institutional Advancement as a Stewardship and Donor Relations Officer. He said his college experience working as a Saint Michael’s tour guide all four years prepared him well.

While completing his undergrad degree, he said he tried to take advantage of Saint Michael’s Center for Global Engagement. He was selected for a Freeman Foundation International Internship in South Korea the summer before his senior year, during which he worked in an after-school program geared towards first-generation Korean students. He also participated in a two-week trip to Japan through Saint Michael’s, and he served as co-president of the French Club, through which he helped plan trips each semester to Quebec.

“As a student [at Saint Michael’s] it’s almost difficult not to take a part of some type of global opportunity. There’s so many that they offer,” O’Neil said.

O’Neil’s idea to create vlogs during his Fulbright experience mirrors how he documented his experience as a student intern in South Korea by creating weekly YouTube vlogs .  He learned he had won the Fulbright scholarship while visiting a friend from St. Mike’s in Hawaii this spring.

“Honestly, I’m still in shock,” O’Neil said. “I’m beyond grateful for St. Mike’s. They have given me more opportunities than I could have imagined.”

Willow Schaefer ’24, South Korea

Willow Schaefer ’24 is a double major in Secondary Education and English and a minor in TESOL. Schaefer won a Fulbright Scholarship to be an English Teaching Assistant in South Korea beginning in January 2025. Schaefer grew up in Groton, Vermont, and said her love for South Korea traces back to age nine, when she started practicing the Korean Martial Art, Taekwondo.

Schaefer formed a close bond with her two Taekwondo instructors. They promised to accompany her to Korea to attend the World Taekwondo Federation Building. Unfortunately, both instructors passed away within a year of each other before the trio got to go.

“It was definitely one of the hardest moments of my life” Schaefer said. “They had become like father figures to me. They were two of the most important people in my life.”

From that point on, Schaefer said she promised herself that one day she would travel to South Korea to train at the World Taekwondo Federation Building in Kukkiwon.

Fast-forward more than a decade. Schaefer decided to apply for a Freeman Foundation Internship at the same time that she applied to study abroad in South Korea. She received both. In the summer of 2022, Schaefer traveled to South Korea as a TESOL intern, working as an English tutor at an elementary bilingual academy. The experience helped her learn the Korean language. Schaefer said she loved the experience working with children and, it turns out, the feelings were mutual.

“I was the most requested tutor by the end of my internship,” Schaefer said.

Schaefer had also been accepted to study abroad for spring semester at Korea University during her junior year. Most of her classes were taught in Korean, helping to strengthen her linguistics further. While she was there, she started a language exchange club called KULL (Korean University Language Learners) that continues today. Schaefer said the club’s Instagram and group chat each have more than 2,000 followers and the meetings draw hundreds of participants.

Schaefer said Siplon convinced her to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship when she returned from studying abroad. Schaefer said she made a plan for if she won the Fulbright Scholarship and another plan for if she didn’t, which included staying at Saint Michael’s to pursue a Master’s degree in TESOL. Schaefer will start her MATESOL this fall before heading to South Korea in January. After her Fulbright experience, she will return to campus to complete her degree.

As part of her Fulbright community impact goals, she hopes to bring a similar language exchange club to her new community in South Korea. She also wants to start a pen-pal program between her South Korean students and Vermont schools.

Schaefer said she was student-teaching when she received the news she had won the Fulbright Scholarship.

“I cried. I cried so much,” Schaefer said. “There were so many overwhelming feelings. It was so joyous.”

Schaefer said she immediately emailed Siplon, Professor Benjamin White who is the Director of MATESOL, and Mahmoud Arani, who is Professor of Applied Linguistics and the TESOL Minor Coordinator.

“I owe a lot of this to them,” Schaefer said. “I honestly still can’t believe it.”

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10 Construction Technology Trends to Watch in 2024

Ten construction technology trends that will shape 2024.

In the past few years, many interesting trends have emerged in the construction technology field as stakeholders respond to the dynamics of the building sector.

From Internet of Things (IoT) and advanced analytics tools to 3D printing and robotics, new construction technology trends are gradually changing the industry. 

Here are ten construction technology trends that will shape 2024.

Construction technology trends

1. 3d printing.

Since 2004 when Professor Behrokh Khoshnevis of the University of South Carolina tried to deliver the first 3D printed wall, innovations in this segment have grown exponentially and it is now possible to create a house in a day.

The ability to 3D-print complex structures, both small and large, has endeared the technology to property developers seeking to improve work efficiency while cutting labour costs and construction timelines. 

This has made 3D printing one of the hottest construction technology trends, with the 3D printing construction market expected to record a compound annual growth rate of as high as 91.5% from 2021-2028.  

2. IoT and advanced analytics tools

IoT is a technology that uses sensors and systems to collect data from multiple connected devices in real-time.

Such data can help builders to quickly identify safety issues and rectify them swiftly to ensure construction work proceeds safely as planned. 

On the other hand, advanced analytics tools can track and evaluate the current situation on a construction site and provide timely warnings of potential risks.

These tools are helpful when working in dangerous construction sites.

3. Robotics

Robots are increasingly finding their way into sites as builders seek ways to circumvent the labour crunch currently facing the global construction industry.

By introducing robotics to sites, builders can automate repetitive tasks such as bricklaying and rebar tying as robots can easily complete these tasks.

This can help relieve workers of the burden of handling repetitive work.

And since robots can work without stopping, construction work can be completed much faster as compared to the timelines that can be achieved by human workers.

4. Green construction

Green construction refers to the use of energy-efficient technologies and innovative products that leave less carbon footprint on the planet.

This allows construction of sustainable buildings that consume less energy and are significantly cheaper to maintain. It also helps to make buildings more durable.

Indeed, as cities fight the ‘urban heat island’ condition where towns have higher temperatures than rural areas due to lack of greenery, green building is slowly becoming compulsory in many parts of the world.  

5. Wearables

Wearables such as exoskeletons, smart helmets, and safety vests are emerging as one of the hottest construction technology trends.

These devices are able to monitor the movements of workers, provide real-time data on site conditions, and prevent common injuries such as back strain.

Wearables are likely to become a standard feature in the construction industry as builders seek to enhance worker safety while improving productivity.

6. Augmented reality

Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enhances reality by overlaying digital information on top of a user’s view thus creating a mixed reality experience.

AR is transforming construction by enabling architects, engineers, and site workers to visualize building plans in real-time – helping them to better understand a project while improving communication between stakeholders.

By streamlining the construction process , AR is helping builders to reduce construction errors and accidents while improving productivity.

7. Virtual reality

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that creates a computer-generated simulation of an environment that can be experienced through a head-mounted device.

It allows a user to interact with and navigate a virtual world designed to replicate real world experiences or create entirely new world experiences.

RELATED: 10 Construction Industry Trends to Watch

VR is quickly becoming a part of the preconstruction process, with architects and engineers using it to visualize and modify designs in real-time.

This allows for faster and more accurate decision-making.

Both AR and VR can potentially change the way we design and build structures.

Defined as a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a building, Building Information Modeling (BIM) forms a reliable basis for decisions during a building’s life-cycle – from its earliest conception to demolition.

It extends the three primary spatial dimensions (width, height, and depth) – to include time (4D BIM), cost (5D BIM), asset management, sustainability, etc.

RELATED: How 5G Will Transform Construction Sites

Currently one of the hottest construction industry technology trends, BIM is helping builders to form collaborative processes relating to the built asset from initial planning through to construction and then throughout its operational life.

9. AI-oriented drones

Drones armed with cameras have been used for ages to collect data from places that cannot be accessed by humans.

Thanks to technology, drones are nowadays AI-oriented and fitted with cameras that are able to capture better images and details that improve communication between them and software on the receiving end.

RELATED: OpenSpace: The ‘Google Street View’ of Construction

Drones are now offering real-time aerial imagery, 3D lidar scans, BIM capabilities, progress tracking, safety monitoring, inspections, and more.

This is helping site managers and engineers to make more informed decisions and to better understand the project’s progression.

10. Offsite construction

Offsite construction is one of the fastest growing construction technology trends. It involves construction of building components in a factory setting, and transportation of the same to a construction site for assembly. 

This mode of construction helps to reduce wastage of building materials .

Other benefits of offsite construction include improved quality control and shorter construction timelines.

By allowing for greater precision in design and assembly, offsite construction results in higher quality finished products. However, this technique requires specific and highly trained construction workers, which may slow down its uptake among small-scale builders.

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Jayson Maina is a technology reporter with a degree in Computer Science from JKUAT. He has covered emerging technologies and their impact on the construction industry for more than a decade.

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Privacy Overview

AKU-KE | Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation: Capstone Project

• Leading Media Enterprises in the Digital Era
• Leading Resource Planning 1 - People and Technology
• Leadership for Innovation and Growth
• Risk management, law and ethics for media industries
• Strategic Branding & Marketing in Digital Era
• Entrepreneurial Enterprise and Corporate Renewal
• Leading Resource Planning 2 - Financing and Facilities
• Research for Media and Communication Businesses

Capstone Project

• Citation & Referencing
• Books and eBooks

This is the capstone course providing learners with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge and experiences gleaned during the entire programme of study. In this course, individuals undertake instruction and independent research into a leadership challenge they are facing in their workplace or across their industry. At the conclusion of the semester-long project, each will present their analysis and action plan in a 20,000-word report, which can be directly implemented in their workplace. This course aims at enhancing all six leadership competencies, namely, thinking and acting strategically, resource planning and process management, accountability for performance and results, change and innovation, development and communication.

Core reading material  Kuiper, S. and Clippinger, D. (2012). Contemporary business reports, 5th ed. Cengage Learning.

Colorado State University. (2012). Business writing: an introduction. [Website]. Retrieved from:  http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=70

University of Leicester. Learning Development. (2009). Writing reports. [Website]. Retrieved from:  http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/ld/resources/writing/writing-resources/reports

Recommended Reference Material Booth, W.C. and Gregory G.C. (2016). The craft of research, 4th ed. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. Q 180.55.M4 .B66 2016

Eco, U. How to write a thesis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2015. LB 2369 .E36 2015

Weston, A. (2017). A rulebook for arguments, 4th ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, Inc. DS 79.764.A63 .W55 2017

Online Video

Hendrikz, D. (2014, Apr 3). How to write a business report, [Video file; 4 min 41 sec].  YouTube. Retrieved from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH5Kw6rR4lM

Charles Darwin University. Academic Language and Learning Success Program. (2016, May 4). Report writing for business students, [Video file; 8 min]. YouTube. Retrieved from:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=babmuQBIxS0 

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• Environmental Studies
• Experiential Learning
• Capstone Projects

Sustainable Solutions to Disposal of Solar Batteries in Kakamega, Kenya

Alex Dey, Britt Gable, and Travis Spring Department: Environmental Studies

I. Introduction

The county of Kakamega is located in Western Kenya with a population of 1.7 million people. The people in the area live in extreme poverty, with roughly one percent of the population having access to electricity. In recent years, Kenya has become a large developing market for solar power technology. Solibrium is bringing inexpensive solar power to this area but is worried of the future improper disposal of the expired products from the solar equipment. Solar panels and batteries contain toxic chemicals and materials that can cause contamination of water and land.

Our objective is to find a responsible method to dispose of the hazardous materials found in solar panels and batteries once they have exceeded the lifespan of 5-7 years. The project’s goal is to promote responsible disposal and recycling of solar panels and batteries, while also attempting to implement refurbishing and maintenance practices. This will ultimately help improve the longevity and efficiency of the solar project by Sollibrium.

In addition, funding efforts for recycling or disposing of the batteries are being explored. This will be accomplished by incentivizing local people to bring the expired battery to a central location for pick up and transportation to a recycling center. The incentives to bring the expired battery to a central location will include a 5% discount on a new battery or choice of cookware. We are also exploring the possibility of implementing an insurance program that would help fund the costly efforts of shipping used batteries to be recycled or refurbished. All of these potential improvements will help in the quest to bring electricity to Kakamega Kenya.

II. Methods

• Collaborate with Eco2libruim and Solibruim about the types ofsolar kits and batteries in Kakamega, Kenya.
• Identify the problem with the solar kits battery life and begin to brainstorm solutions.
• Contact battery recycling centers near Kakamega, Kenya.
• Contact other similar companies to Solibruim (ie. Barefoot Power Uganda) and identify what they are doing for the safe disposal of batteries.
• Construct two possible sustainable plans to fund the recycling and transportation of expired batteries to the recycling center

III. Results

Data: Solar kit Insurance

• Cost of recycling batteries: $0.50USD per Kilogram
• Insurance cost per month: $0.05USD
• Current kits sold: 238 kits in Kakamega, Kenya
• Money raised from insurance per kits per year: $0.60USD
• Money raised from insurance for all current 238 kits sold for 5 years: $714USD
• Solar kit battery life: 5-7 years
• Money raised per kit after 5 years: $3.00USD
• Assuming all 238 kits needed recycling the same year that would cost $149.25USD and high end of transportation per trip would cost $167.00USD. Calculated by route and assuming gas is $4.00USD per gallon and truck gets 12MPG.

IV. Conclusions

Implement an insurance program. The insurance program will charge the consumer $0.05USD per month. The insurance will cover faulty batteries that are not damaged intentionally or by water damage. The money collected for the insurance will cover the cost of recycling and transportation of the battery to WEEE recycling in Nairobi Kenya and cover the unforeseen cost of possibly replacing a faulty battery. WEEE Recycling charges $0.50 USD per Kilogram of the batteries weight. The insurance cost will be calculated by the rate of $0.05 USD per month per kit and this total will be covering the cost of transportation and recycling of the solar batteries.

The second option is to implement an incentive program to attract the sustainable and responsible disposal of the batteries from the local customer base. If the customer brings the old battery to a central location for pick up and transportation to the WEEE Recycling center, they will be rewarded with a choice of a 5% discount on a new replacement battery or a choice of new cookware. The cost of a new battery with the discount is substantially cheaper than buying a whole new kit.

Overall, the objective of the incentive program is to influence decision making for the customers and allow them to continue to capitalize on their solar kits at a substantially lower continued cost. The insurance program in addition to this will help cover costs that Solibrium will incur to ensure that the old batteries get to the WEEE recycling center to be properly disposed of

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Engineering students collaborate with industries on capstone projects

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May 8, 2024 : By Ted Allen - Office of Communications & Public Engagement

Capstone, also known as senior design, is the culminating academic experience for Liberty University School of Engineering (LUSE) students and a significant résumé-enriching achievement as they prepare to transition to professional careers.

“Each student works on a team of four to six to design a new product or process or make significant design improvement on existing systems,” said Dr. Howie Fang, a professor and chair of the mechanical engineering department and director of LUSE’s capstone program. “It’s a creative activity, and students do that for their client, who works with the student team over the period of two semesters.”

That creativity and collaboration was on display during Thursday’s Engineering Capstone Expo in the Montview Alumni Ballroom. For this academic year, LUSE offered 22 capstone projects to 97 engineering students with 18 projects from industry partners. Area businesses included Automated Conveyer Systems Inc., Centra, Delta Star, Framatome, Harco Fittings, Lawrence Companies, and Master Engineers & Designers. Students also worked with multi-industry companies such as Textron, and government agencies like NAVAIR, who have provided funding for and benefited from students’ innovative capstone projects. (See the full list of industry sponsors below.)

“It is very important for our students to learn real-world engineering problems and how to find solutions to those problems before they go out and get into industry as engineers,” Fang said. “Then, they are prepared and comfortable applying what they have learned in the classroom to real-life engineering challenges in their new jobs.”

Capstone teams involved students from all five engineering programs: mechanical, electrical, computer, industrial & systems, and civil engineering.

“Dr. Howie Fang is a world-leader in design optimization methodologies and has taught that in the context of the Creationeering process to the senior students while integrating it with real-world engineering problems,” School of Engineering Dean Mark Horstemeyer said, with Creationeering referring to his coined term for the interface between business and engineering and the creative inspiration from God in students’ research and design. “I am so proud to have Howie Fang in the LUSE as his leadership has raised the standard for the school.”

Such was the case for Tanner Randall, who will start this month at Framatome in its thermal hydraulics and component testing center after leading a team of six mechanical engineering students who worked under the supervision of Framatome mechanical engineer and software developer Greg Troyer to analyze the natural frequencies of nuclear reactor vessel internals (RVI), which facilitate fission in extreme environments. Christopher Pace, an electrical engineering student who worked on another Framatome-sponsored project, has also been hired by the company, which has its North American headquarters in Lynchburg, Va.

Katherine Rioux and fellow mechanical engineering students Fady Fayek, Caleb Schaible, and Logan Drawbaugh worked with Dr. Andy McIntosh from Leeds University in England to develop a Biomimic Novel Spray System, using the bombardier beetle as its model for extinguishing fires. She has landed a job working on E2D Hawkeye Airborne Command and Control Aircraft at NAVAIR in Patuxent, Md.

“It’s been a steep learning curve, but the cool thing about being tossed into the deep end is you either sink or swim, and I didn’t want to sink, so I learned,” said Rioux, who had internships with NAVAIR over the past two summers.

At last spring’s Expo, Josh Ingram and his team won the Capstone Legacy Award for their best product design for NAVAIR, a small tool that can be used to repair the engine of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. Ingram was hired by BWXT last May while Zach Deluth, another member of this team, was hired by NAVAIR.

“The team worked with NAVAIR really well, and the product the students delivered to them is ready to be made for them to use to maintain these aircraft, so they were really happy,” Fang said.

Due to the quality of work produced by the engineering students on that capstone project, NAVAIR’s Cherry Point, N.C., location sponsored two capstone projects for Liberty’s engineering students this year.

Several of the seniors said the capstone projects stretched them more than any other class they had taken toward their degree, challenging them to put what they have learned in the classroom into practical application.

“It’s hands-on, working with a real customer, solving real problems, and it really made them think through, identifying what the problem is, coming up with solutions to that problem,” School of Engineering Lab Manager Marc Jantomaso said. “They built really good relationships with the clients.”

In recent years, as the School of Engineering has grown — both in number of students and faculty and in reputation in the Lynchburg, Va., area and around the nation and the world — more and more connections have been made between graduating seniors and area engineering companies.

“Through the capstone program, we have built up some very good relationships with industry that will tremendously benefit our engineering students, as well as the industry, providing the students with opportunities to refine their learning and open doors for employers to hire highly skilled graduates,” Fang said. “It’s a win-win situation. We can have more impact for students if we bring real-world applications, real-world projects from industry and let students work with industry people directly in these projects.”

This year, the projects received more than four times the total amount of funding as last year, allowing the seniors to develop more elaborate projects with greater functionality.

“They have more financial resources now, so they can do more,” Fang said. “When you go out to industry, your project can run anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars. That is the scale type of work from industry, and that is very beneficial to students if you can have a project with that complexity. So, from that perspective, we try to attract as many industry projects as possible.”

With genius inspired by God, and plenty of direction from faculty advisors and the clients they are doing their capstone projects for, the student teams “make miracles happen,” said Liberty President Dondi Costin, who attended the Expo.

“I was blown away at every single station, and I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “This is a true testament of your education … (and) exactly what Liberty University is all about. It’s taking young men and women who have natural talent and who have been raised with character and who are brought here by God, who have an individual ability and skill and passion and motivation and coming together as a team and using that skill in concert with the skills of others who are just as intelligent and passionate and gifted.”

2023-24 Engineering Capstone Industry Sponsors

Automated Conveyer Systems (ACS) Inc.

Centra Health

Corvid Technologies LLC

Delta Star, Inc.

Energy & Automation, Inc.

FarmBot Inc.

Harco Fittings

Kapstone Projects LLC

Lawrence Companies

Master Engineers & Designers

McKee Foods Corporation

U.S. Navy’s Fleet Readiness Center East (NAVAIR)

Textron Specialized Vehicles

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