NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 11 – The Higher Education, Science and Technology Ministry has said it is in the process of actively promoting a national culture that utilises science and technology for its social and economic prosperity and global competitiveness.
Minister Dr Sally Kosgey said this would ensure that the society take full advantage of the integration of science, technology and innovation into all national production systems and processes for sustainable development
“The Ministry is keen to collaborate with training institutions to promote use of technology for the ultimate benefit of the country,” she said in a speech read by her Permanent Secretary Professor Crispus Kiamba.
The PS spoke during the graduation ceremony of students from the Kenya Power & Lighting Company (KPLC) Training School in Nairobi where the school was recognised by City and Guilds International, for its excellent performance.
Prof Kiamba conferred degrees and certificates to 217 graduands.
Dr Kosgey said: “The high quality programmes offered in this institution are good examples of how to make relevant the education and training to the needs of industry, and consequently for the development our country.”
Dr Kosgey challenged the management of KPLC and the school to enhance the curricula and progressively upgrade the school’s technology in order to “attract more students from the wider East and Central Africa region.” This, she said would “contribute to regional initiatives to develop human resources capacity to sustain not only the energy sector, but also other technical and developmental sectors of those economies.”
In his remarks, KPLC Managing Director Eng. Joseph Njoroge said that the company would absorb into the workforce 90 percent of the graduating students.
He also announced that the school was in the process of developing a strategic plan that would refocus the management and programmes at the institution by strengthening the partnership between it, the parent company and the wider energy sector.
The school has seven training departments and offers more than 20 different programmes to KPLC staff and other members of the public.
