Prof. Mulati addressing participants during the launch of Aluminium Systems and Fabrication course with Mr Shah (second left) and Prof. Ikua (far right)
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Booth Extrusions Limited have launched a Certificate Course in Aluminium Systems and Fabrication, to be offered at the JKUAT Main Campus, Juja.
The joint training venture launched on Wednesday, January 15, 2014, is designed to impart relevant, practical and theoretical knowledge and skills on all aspects of aluminium extrusions and fabrications of high quality structures including window frames, doors, partitions, and trusses for the construction industry.
While presiding over the launch of the course, the Vice Chancellor Prof. Mabel Imbuga in a speech read on her behalf by the Principal, College of Pure and Applied Sciences (COPAS) Prof. David Mulati, lauded the uniqueness of the joint initiative, noting it was “a major leap in promoting and enhancing collaborations and linkages between industry and academia.”
Prof. Imbuga revealed that the course curriculum “had been designed not only to impart knowledge on Aluminium, but to also broaden the students’ knowledge in areas such as quality, use of computers in day to day operations, entrepreneurship and professional ethics.”
The Vice Chancellor further noted, besides producing technicians and artisans who will play an important role in the realization of Kenya’s Vision 2030, the course, also provided an opportunity for transforming the construction industry in the region.”
Booth Extrusions Limited Chief Executive Officer Mr. Suresh Mohandas who was represented by the Marketing Manager Mr. Kiran Shah said the successful launch of the course was a “culmination of many years of putting together a body of structured knowledge in the construction industry between JKUAT and Booth Extrusions.”
Mr. Shah appreciated the course participants for their positive initiative which symbolized the success of the partnership and asked them to work hard, noting, there was a huge shortage of skilled manpower in the aluminium industry. He thus challenged them to help in filling the gap by starting their own businesses or improving conditions at their places of work, reminding them “in the aluminium industry, it is the quality of work that mattered.”
Mr. Shah who was also accompanied by the Factory Manager Mr. Okoth Mackoduol and the Production Manager Mr. Stephen Njoroge, advised the trainees to take advantage of the vast aluminium industry, and feel free to seek guidance from Booth Extrusions regarding marketing of their products and preparation of quotations among others issues.
Participants during the launch of the aluminium fabrications course
Others who spoke at the function included the Principal of College of Engineering Technology (COETEC) Prof. Bernard Ikua, Chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department Dr. Hiram Ndiritu, and the Director of University – Industry Liaison Office, Eng. Benson Kariuki.
Eng. Kariuki gave a presentation on how the Aluminium course participants could apply their skills in transforming the landscape of the entire country, drawing from salutary lessons and experiences of the people of South Korea, who, 50 years ago, embarked on a transformation process by impaling themselves on the sword of quality and diligence, rising like a phoenix to become a leading powerhouse in ship manufacturing in the world.
The course to be offered on part-time basis (evening and weekends), will see trainees spend ten (10) weeks at JKUAT and Booth Extrusions for theoretical and practical sessions, and a further two (2) weeks for practical attachment at Booth and across construction sites.