By: Lubnah Abdulhalim & Janeth Jebet
A simple encounter with a T-square set Professor Michael Juma Saulo on a path that would eventually lead him to become a professor and the Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology at Technical University of Mombasa (TUM).
Speaking during an interview with the Corporate Communications Office, Professor Saulo recalled that his parents initially wanted him to pursue a career in law. However, his interest lay in a T-square, a technical drawing instrument that he saw students from TUK carrying, which sparked his curiosity about engineering. That curiosity grew into a passion, leading him to become an electrical engineer and an accomplished academic with over 30 years of professional experience.
Throughout his career, Professor Saulo has held several leadership positions within the university. Between 2010 and 2013, he served as Chairperson in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. In 2018, he was appointed the first Registrar in charge of Partnership, Research and Innovation, where he spearheaded several transformative initiatives.
Among his notable achievements is pioneering the multidisciplinary conference and innovation week, which brings together researchers from various disciplines to share knowledge and foster innovation. This event is currently in its 7th edition. He also played a key role in establishing the university's Multidisciplinary Journal and was instrumental in setting up the Renewable Energy and Climate Research Centre (RECREC). In addition, he initiated a waste-to-energy project whose outcomes are currently being utilized within the university's kitchen facilities.
As Dean, Professor Saulo is focused on improving the quality of engineering education through his seven-point vision, which places a strong emphasis on practical training and graduate preparedness.
He expressed concern about producing graduates who are not adequately prepared for professional practice and emphasized the need for practical, industry-oriented training. To address this challenge, he plans to introduce Project-Based Learning (PBL), an approach that allows students to solve real-world problems through hands-on projects.
Under this model, fifth-year students will be attached to practising engineers to gain practical experience. Professor Saulo plans to advocate to the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK) and the Kenya Engineering Technology Registration Board (KETRB) to offer Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits for engineers serving as external supervisors for students. To support this initiative, he will soon publish a paper on Project-Based Learning (PBL) to be presented at the upcoming AJERI conference at Kenyatta University.
To strengthen academic standards and institutional performance, the dean has established several committees within the school. These include the Quality Assurance Committee, which focuses on academic standards and the quality of teaching; the Equipment and Infrastructure Committee, which addresses learning facilities and equipment needs; and the Research and Innovation Committee, which promotes research activities and technological advancement.
In line with his vision for growth, Professor Saulo plans to restructure the current School of Engineering and Technology into three distinct schools: the School of Engineering, the School of Architecture and Quantity Surveying, and the School of Technology. The long-term goal is to establish a College of Engineering and Technology that will bring these schools together under one academic umbrella and strengthen the university's capacity for teaching, research, and innovation.
Looking back, it is remarkable that a simple T-square could spark a dream that would lead to a professorship and the deanship of one of TUM's most influential schools. Today, Professor Saulo is ensuring that future engineers have the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to build their own paths, proving that sometimes the smallest inspirations can have the greatest impact.
Publications: 80+ publications, 2 books and 1000+ citations
Contact: michaelsaulo@tum.ac.ke
