Kabale University has been selected to host a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow under the prestigious Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP). The collaborative project will focus on innovative research in Transportation Geotechnics and Geoenvironmental Engineering, particularly addressing the stabilization of problematic soils for sustainable infrastructure development.
The project, which aims to improve the engineering properties of expansive black cotton soils through the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials, will contribute significantly to solving challenges in Uganda’s transportation and civil infrastructure sectors. These problematic soils, known for their high clay content, calcium carbonate levels, and shrink-swell behavior, pose serious challenges to construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
Dr. OlaOlu George Fadugba, a member of the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, currently deployed to the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Technology, Applied Design and Fine Art at Kabale University, will lead the project. He will collaborate with Dr. Micheal Abiodun Uduebor from the Whitaker College of Engineering (WCE), Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), USA.
Promoting Sustainable and Green Engineering Practices
The research initiative will focus on reducing the carbon footprint of construction by using green and sustainable materials, including agricultural by-products, to stabilize problematic soils. This approach seeks to minimize reliance on traditional stabilizers like cement and lime, which are known for their environmental impacts. The project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2030) by promoting sustainable infrastructure solutions that benefit both the environment and the local communities.
Benefits to Kabale University and the Broader Community
The collaboration is set to enhance research capacity and skill development at Kabale University by involving faculty members and students in cutting-edge research. Moreover, the outcomes of the study will offer practical, cost-effective solutions for the construction industry, especially in managing problematic soils in Uganda and the East African region. The community will benefit from improved, resilient, and environmentally friendly infrastructure solutions, contributing to broader sustainable development goals.
Part of a Larger Pan-African Initiative
The Kabale University project is among 60 collaborative projects selected to participate in the CADFP this year. These projects will pair African Diaspora scholars with higher education institutions in Africa for curriculum co-development, research collaboration, graduate training, and mentoring activities.
The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP) is funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in collaboration with the Association of African Universities (AAU). Since its inception in 2013, the program has awarded nearly 650 fellowships, supporting scholars in building long-term, mutually beneficial academic collaborations between Africa and the United States/Canada.
For more information about CADFP, visit: www.iie.org/africandiaspora
- Learn more about Dr. OlaOlu George Fadugba: https://www.kab.ac.ug/university_staff/dr-olaolu-george-fadugba/
- Learn more about Dr. Micheal Abiodun Uduebor and his team: https://udueborlab.org/team/