Industrial Technology
Bridging engineering and production on the factory floor.
Overview
Industrial technology is about how products are actually made, and how production can be made better. It brings together manufacturing processes, automation, quality control and management so that industries produce good products safely, efficiently and at a competitive cost.
The programme is strongly hands-on. Alongside technical subjects such as manufacturing processes, electrical and mechanical systems and computer-aided design, students study production planning, quality assurance, maintenance and occupational safety, preparing them to lead teams on the shop floor.
As Kenya expands its manufacturing base and industrial parks, industrial technologists are needed to set up production lines, keep equipment running, raise quality and make operations leaner.
Areas of specialisation
The main fields within Industrial Technology, from first principles to final-year projects.
Manufacturing Processes
Machining, fabrication, casting and plastics, and choosing the right process for a product.
Production & Operations
Planning and scheduling people, machines and materials for the best output.
Quality Assurance
Inspection, statistical process control and quality management standards such as ISO 9001.
Industrial Automation
PLCs, robotics, sensors and CNC machines that automate production.
Maintenance Management
Preventive and predictive maintenance that keeps plant reliable and cuts downtime.
Health, Safety & Environment
Occupational safety, risk assessment and cleaner production in industrial settings.
What you will study
Typical subjects and practical training. Exact units vary by year and programme.
Core subjects
- Manufacturing technology
- Technical drawing and CAD/CAM
- Electrical and electronic technology
- Mechanical systems and materials
- Production planning and control
- Quality control and statistics
- Industrial automation and PLCs
- Maintenance management
- Occupational health and safety
- Industrial management and entrepreneurship
Hands-on learning
- Workshop training in machining, welding and fabrication
- CNC programming and operation
- PLC and automation laboratory work
- Quality inspection and precision measurement
- Industrial attachment in a manufacturing plant
- Final-year production or process improvement project
Career paths
Roles graduates commonly go on to hold.
- Production supervisor or manager
- Quality assurance officer
- Maintenance technologist
- Automation technologist
- Operations and supply chain analyst
- Health and safety officer
- Technical trainer
- Manufacturing entrepreneur
Professional registration
Graduates can seek registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) as engineering technologists, and often add professional certifications in quality management, occupational safety or project management as their careers grow.
Industrial Technology at EESA
Put your coursework to use with students from every department.
Project ideas to get started
- Run a lean manufacturing or process improvement study with a local business.
- Build a small automated sorting or packaging line controlled by a PLC.
- Set up a fabrication space where other EESA teams can prototype their projects.
Have an idea of your own? Tell the committee.