SHE IS A PRODUCT MANAGER AT SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC (KENYA); A GLOBAL LEADER IN ENERGY MANAGEMENT AND AUTOMATION
MEET ENG. MELVIS WANJIRU WACHIRA
“I was always interested in sciences since childhood. I learnt about Mechatronics Engineering course from a relative and I was fascinated by it. I was uncertain then about Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) but five years through the course, I do not regret the decision to join or any single moment I spent there. I had a great time and experience studying at DeKUT” – Melvis Wanjiru
Melvis Wanjiru is our alumna, graduating class of 2017. She pursued BSc. Mechatronics Engineering. Like many of our students, Melvis was a person of initiative and was involved in various clubs and participated in competitions that enhanced her skills and exposed her to great experiences and opportunities. With her area of interest being innovations and provision of solutions revolving around automation and energy management, Melvis says that studying at DeKUT was a good decision as she gained basic engineering knowledge and gained exposure through involvement in school and personal projects. Some of the major competitions she took part in while at the University are Robotics Competition, Go Green In the City Global Competition and World Energy Day Competition. “Studying at DeKUT was worthwhile due to various reasons ranging from available and qualified lecturers, well equipped laboratories, meaningful and challenging projects, clubs and societies among others.” – she adds.
Melvis works with Schneider Electric; a global leader in energy management and automation company which she joined as a graduate trainee engineer a few weeks before her graduation. After graduating from the graduate trainee program, she took a new role in the line of product management for the industry portfolio. In her current role, Melvis manages the following products: speed drives, soft starters, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, relays, other control and signaling devices like pushbuttons, selector switches, indicator lights etc. “In this role I have been able to do successful launches of products both in the optimum and easy line ranges as well as price repositioning.” – she adds.
This young engineer has achieved several milestones in her career. She acknowledges a few achievements among many: being a Women in Engineering Fellow, being a finalist in the Schneider Electric Go Green In The City Global Competition held in Paris, France and a regional winner for Middle East and Africa and being the World Energy Day Competition winner by Eenovators Limited in 2016. These achievements are badges she wears as reminders and encouragement that she has what it takes to thrive and be a contributor to change through her career. Melvis whose inspiration comes from her desire to become a better person each day looks to become a consultant and policy maker in matters energy management and automation in the long run.
