NAIROBI – Kenya has embarked on a major initiative to strengthen its technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector through a partnership with China. The China Education Association for International Exchange (CEAIE) and the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA) launched a comprehensive training program aimed at improving the professional and technical capacity of administrators and trainers in African technical institutions. The initiative, part of the Future of Africa, China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Program, will include both online courses and hands-on practical training in Kenya, equipping participants with advanced teaching methodologies, curriculum design skills, and technical expertise.
As part of the program, the on-site training in Kenya is organized by AVIC International and features visits to landmark projects including the Global Trade Center, Two Rivers Mall, and the Karimenu II Dam in Nairobi. Twenty-two students from the Technical University of Kenya, alongside two representatives from African technical institutions, participated in practical sessions covering electrical engineering and other applied technologies. The program aims to foster stronger collaboration between Chinese and African educators while cultivating highly skilled technical talent across the continent. Prof. Edwin Ataro, Executive Dean at the Technical University of Kenya, emphasized that the program will not only enhance lecturers’ skills across eight engineering disciplines—including civil, aerospace, chemical, and electrical engineering—but will also directly benefit students through higher-quality training aligned with international standards.
The partnership also includes a sandwich program, allowing Kenyan engineering undergraduates to study in China for one year, gaining hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities. This collaboration aligns with broader African development goals, addressing a shortage of skilled lecturers and modern equipment in engineering departments. In the next five years, the university plans to leverage industry partnerships to commercialize innovations and generate income for infrastructure upgrades. The program builds on commitments made by President Xi Jinping during the 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, reinforcing China’s support for Africa’s capacity building and technical education, and promises to significantly boost Kenya’s TVET sector and the broader skilled workforce.