Colleges urged to forge links with private sector to realise EAC goals

PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | FILE EAC Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie (right) and her Principal Secretary Mwanamaka Mabruki during a past function.  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• President Kenyatta called for harmonisation of higher education and training systems in the region that would allow young East Africans to study in a university of their choice
• The President noted that this means graduates will leave university well equipped to spearhead industrialisation and will come out as job creators

By YVONE KAWIRA
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President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for the development of a strong partnership between academia and the private sector in East Africa.

The President noted that such a partnership was critical for ensuring that the private sector contributed to curriculum development in academic institutions.

“By doing so, the private sector will ensure the development of skilful, adaptive, competent and enterprising human capital capable of meeting its needs,” said Mr Kenyatta.

He said this in a speech read by East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie during the opening of a two-day second academia-private forum and exhibitions in Nairobi.

The President said this has the potential to stimulate socio-economic development of the region as this would inspire creativity and boost entrepreneurship among young people regionally.

He also called for harmonisation of higher education and training in the region that would allow young East Africans to study in a university of their choice and enjoy cross border movement of graduates.

HISTORIC JUNCTION

The acting chairman of the EAC Council of Ministers, Tarsis Bazana Kabwegyere, said this was among efforts by East Africans to turn their economies and education to much higher levels and make the region productive and prosperous. Secretary-General Richard Sezibera, noted that the region was at a historic junction in Africa’s march to socio-economic development.

“East Africa must seize the moment to lift millions of its citizens out of abject poverty. We cannot afford to remain in the deceptive cocoons of low expectations, dreamt markets and parochial national concerns,” said Mr Sezibera.

The East African Business Council chairman, Mr Vimal Shah, said the private sector was committed to getting involved in the development of curricula, supporting research and also commercialising research output and innovations.

“The private sector has for a long time lamented the paucity of the right skills among workers, especially the graduates being churned by local universities. This will now come to an end,” he said in a speech read on his behalf by the business council director Jim Kabeho.

The meeting attracted about 250 higher learning institutions, private sector and members of diplomatic corps.

The President noted that this means graduates will leave university well equipped to spearhead industrialisation and will come out as job creators, and not job seekers.