Taita Taveta University has signed a deal with China’s Dongying Vocational Institute to offer advanced vocational and technical training in the field of petroleum engineering, petrochemical engineering and the new generation of information technology.
Presiding over the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions, University Education and Research Principal Secretary Simon Nabukwesi said this will spearhead vocational and technical training between Kenya and China.
The PS said Kenyan students on overseas study tours and practice in China shall benefit from the deal through an establishment of a training centre at the institute
“The university shall collaborate in setting up a China-Kenya vocational and technical training centre in China, which shall serve as a base for training TTU teachers,” he said.
The partnership will further see the establishment of a second Kenyan Luban Workshop at TTU which shall serve as the centre of excellence for oil and gas trade skills in the region.
“The launch of Kenya’s second Luban Workshop will have spin-offs for the workforce required by segments of the Blue Economy that Kenya has embarked on developing,” Nabukwesi said.
He said the establishment of the partnership is in line with the declaration of the 2018 Beijing Summit on China-Africa Co-operation where China agreed to establish 10 Luban Workshops in Africa.
The workshops, the PS said are set to provide training for the youth in Africa and promote youth innovation and entrepreneurship.
He said there is a technical skills workforce shortage for oil and gas subsectors in the Eastern and Southern Africa region and therefore the training shall help African countries tap the potential.
“Research has shown that this kind of expertise is lacking in our region and therefore the centre will serve not only Kenya but a wide region,” Nabukwesi said.
“The idea to internationalize the institution will help teachers and will also expand skills in pedagogy.”
The PS advised universities in the country to seek partnerships with other international institutions in a bid to bridge the gap in the vocationally trained workforce.
Taita Taveta University Vice-Chancellor Simiyu Barasa said the university has already sent staffers to DVI for training ahead of the commencement of the new faculty.
The institution, Barasa said, has further developed a curriculum in oil and gas and that is awaiting official launching.
“Four lecturers have already returned with PHDs and two more are still in China working towards the realization of this great innovation,” he said.
The virtual signing was also attended by Kenya’s Ambassador to Beijing China Sarah Serem and the President of Dongying Vocational Institute Li Yangcheng.
Others were the Mayor of Dongying Municipal Government Liu Meihua, Taita Taveta Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui among others.
Yangcheng said the partnership between the two institutions shall further be extended to communities through the municipalities.
He said Mwatate Municipality where Taita Taveta University lies shall establish a collaboration programme with the Dongying Municipality.
The president said the deal is key in DVI’s quest for expansion of expertise in exploration and vocational skills.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris