The Kenya Industry and Entrepreneurship Project (KIEP), a US$50 million initiative implemented by the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), State Department for Industry with support from the World Bank, has released the first cohort of graduates under KIEP’s – Strengthening Kenya’s Innovation Ecosystem (SKIES) Rapid Tech Skills Program.
The KIEP-SKIES program saw over 236 students from across the country receive the Rapid Tech Skills Training in eight select public universities in Kenya for a period of four months.
The students underwent comprehensive training, developing projects and innovations in sectors such as manufacturing, health, education, housing and real estate, agriculture, among others.
Addressing the congregation during the graduation ceremony at Kenyatta University, Friday, August 16, 2024, the Chief Guest, Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Industry, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, said, “Ten percent of the students have already secured internships, apprenticeships, and full-time positions as a direct result of this program.”
He noted that the graduation ceremony marked a significant milestone in Kenya’s journey towards increased innovation and productivity in the entrepreneurial and tech-based sectors, lauding it as “collective progress towards fostering a robust innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Kenya.”
Dr. Mukhwana said, “In a world where technology drives innovation and growth at an unprecedented pace, programs like the SKIES Rapid Tech Skills initiative are indispensable in bridging the gap between traditional education and industry demands.”
The Principal Secretary acknowledged that the Rapid Tech Skills program has played a critical role in contributing to enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in the global tech space, and commended the graduands’ hard work which has significantly contributed to efforts to achieve Kenya’s vision of becoming a hub for technological innovation.
“The success of the Rapid Tech Skills program exemplifies Kenya’s strategic investment in human capital development which is in line with Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, Medium Term Plan IV and Kenya Vision 2030,” he observed.
The PS revealed that the government is driving the implementation of key flagship projects including the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) and KIEP to drive value addition, job creation, technology transfer and import substitution.”
Dr. Mukhwana said, the Rapid Tech Skills program is contributing to bridging the gap between academic knowledge and industry requirements, preparing graduates for successful careers in the tech sector. By equipping young professionals with cutting-edge skills, the program not only addresses the needs of the tech industry but also lays the foundation for sustained economic development.
The PS appreciated the World Bank for its unwavering support as well as the participating universities for their invaluable partnership, noting, “As a country, we have created a program that exemplifies Kenya’s strategic investment in technology.”
He reminded the graduands that they have the knowledge, skills, and competence to drive innovation and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s industrial transformation.
“Strive for excellence, embrace challenges and pursue innovation. Your success will inspire future generations and propel our nation towards greater heights,” the PS advised, while emphasizing the State Department for Industry’s commitment to nurture such initiatives to ensure Kenya continues to thrive in the rapidly evolving global economy.
In his graduation message to graduands, Word Bank Representative, Mr. Sameer Goyal, said “the World Bank is delighted to have partnered with the Government of Kenya and specifically MITI-SDI to be able to support the development of tech skills that expand entrepreurship and employment opportunities for the youth, but also contribute to enhancing the overall workforce skill set, offering businesses opportunities to innovate and improve productivity.”
JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, said the institution is delighted to be one of those selected to participate in the pioneering program aimed at retooling students in Rapid Tech Skills.
The Vice Chancellor stated that “25 students have successfully completed the program whose curriculum entailed, learning modules in cyber security, mobile app development, web design and development, entrepreneurship skills, French language and project.”
Prof. Ngumi was delighted to note, “Two of our students’ projects excelled and were earmarked by the industry for upscaling during the project exhibition. These projects are: Afya Express – an innovative home-based care application that enables user to access professional healthcare at home, and, Kyja – an application for real estate property management and transactions through a web and mobile application.”
The Vice Chancellor urged graduands to use their skills and knowledge to empower themselves and make a lasting impact in the society, and further encouraged them to uphold the highest ethical standards envisaged by JKUAT in the fields of artificial intelligence and cyber security for a better world.
The Principal, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Prof. George Thiong’o who represented JKUAT Vice Chancellor at the function, congratulated the graduands for their milestone achievements and wished them every success in their chosen careers.
On his part, the SKIES – JKUAT Principal Investigator, Dr. Clifford Obiero, commended graduands for “their resilience, hard work and dedication throughout the four months program” highlighting the utility and application of the skills learnt in the IT industry, urging them to espouse the innovative spirit of JKUAT.
Experts from participating institutions collaboratively developed a curriculum in data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, software engineering, soft skills, and entrepreneurship, to equip students with practical skills aligned with industry needs.
