Investing in Kenyan Students: US Allocates Sh13m for Training in Entrepreneurship and Technology

A recent collaboration between the government of the United States and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology has been established to enhance Science, Technology, and Mathematics Education for 131 students. Dr Churchill Saoke, a lecturer at the university, is leading this initiative with the goal of equipping students with the latest technology and entrepreneurship skills to tackle current societal challenges.

As part of this partnership, students will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers from Syracuse University in the US to develop micro-international ventures. Mr Drew Giblin, Cultural Attaché at the United States Embassy in Nairobi, addressed the students and encouraged them to play an active role in society by transforming their ideas into profitable opportunities and jobs.

Vice Chancellor Victoria Ngumi urged students to leverage this opportunity to network with their American counterparts, emphasizing that this would not only strengthen cultural and trade ties between the two countries but also place the students on the global map and foster international partnerships.

Speakers involved in the initiative emphasized that the programme is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for success in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and business creation. Furthermore, the programme aims to enhance students’ logical and abstract reasoning abilities and diverse analytical skills to solve real-world problems.

Dr Saoke, the programme’s founder, underscored that this initiative is a significant step towards addressing Kenya’s high youth unemployment rate. He expressed that the projects developed in this programme have the potential to be transformed into viable business models and that the best team will receive an award and further coaching to ensure the success of their business. Additionally, the projects will be showcased at an innovation conference in Kenya.

Scheduled to run from January to November, the programme will consist of physical training sessions in Kenya and joint training opportunities with students from Syracuse University in the US.

This partnership represents a valuable investment in the future of Kenyan students, providing them with the necessary skills and experience to address societal challenges and contribute to the country’s economic development.