• PS Muoria officiated launch of Africa Tech Challenge that Kenya will host for 8th time
• The annual event runs from July 24 to August 25, with contestants from around Africa
Image: KEITH MUSEKE
The government is partnering with China to bring in more equipment to support training in TVETs around the country.
TVET PS Esther Muoria on Monday said 154 TVETs have been equipped with modern training equipment as a result of the continued partnership.
“We are about to sign a commercial agreement with AVIC International to bring in the third phase of equipment in TVET institutions to enable real-time training of students,” she said.
AVIC International Holding Corporation is a global shareholding enterprise affiliated with Aviation Industry Corporation of China.
Muoria was speaking at the official opening of the African Tech Challenge (ATC) Season 8 at the Technical University of Kenya in Nairobi.
She said Kenya is committed to fast-tracking training for youth in skills development based on not only certificates earned but what they can do.
The state department plans to re-craft the TVET curriculum, re-train trainers and conduct dual training for students.
“We want to get our country to the next level of development and empowering our youth at the TVET level speaks to our agenda of skilling,” Muoria said.
ATC, an annual event, commenced on Monday and will run through to August 25.
It is targeting contestants from nine countries: Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In her speech, Muoria said ATC marks a pivotal moment in the collective pursuit to push the boundaries of human potential.
She said it is an opportunity for the youth to showcase creativity and problem solving capabilities at the intersection of science, technology and innovation.
The PS urged students to embrace the challenge with an open mind.
“We anticipate to witness the fusion of imagination and tech,” Muoria said.
“Leading to breakthroughs that have the power to reshape industries, eliminate inefficiencies, enhance our lives and contribute to a sustainable future.”
The challenge will focus on training and competitions in two categories: Mechanical Drawing and Computer Aided Design (CAD), Software Application and CNC Lathe Machining.
The former will be conducted on the AVIC International Vocational Education Online Platform, where the CAD software will be provided by AVIC International, while the latter will take place at TUK.
Each vocational institution will be represented by a team consisting of one teacher as the team leader, and three students who will participate in the challenge for each category.
Kenya will be represented by 10 teams.
AVIC International Holding Corporation Kenya chief representative Ma Chengyuan said the training programme is designed to empower youth with practical skills in a fast-growing economy.
“We believe equipping our youths gives them an opportunity to compete for opportunities in the global market,” he said.
TUK vice chancellor Paul Shiundu said the event is an opportunity for students to showcase their skills as well as market our institutions regionally and internationally.
“The primary aim of this challenge is to ensure that the immense benefits of technology can be made to endure and thus provide a solid base for development that is sustainable,” he said.
The most outstanding participants from the training and competition will get fully funded scholarships to prestigious Chinese universities.
The winners will also be awarded internships as well as job opportunities, among other rewards.