Dire Dawa Polytechnic College, a Regional Flagship TVET Institute, has taken initiative to increasing access to TVET programs and contribute to regional integration in East Africa by enrolling 16 regional students from Puntland Somalia. The students graduated in electrical installation though short-term training.

The college aims to offer short-term training in various areas such as railway technology, electro-mechanical technology, and metal engineering technology as part of the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP).

Regional students from Puntland Somalia attending short term training on electrical installation.

The college has been actively communicating with neighbouring countries including Somaliland, Puntland, and Djibouti. Their efforts have yielded positive results, as they have successfully received the first batch of 16 regional students from Puntland, Somalia. These students were enrolled in a short-term training program focused on electrical installation. After completion, all of them were duly certified and graduated.

During their stay at the college, the regional students expressed their needs for certain facilities, including transportation. The college promptly facilitated their requests, ensuring a conducive learning environment for the students. Currently, the college is in the process of receiving more regional students from Somaliland and Djibouti, aiming to provide them with valuable training opportunities.

By Mesay Tilahun, EASTRIP Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at Dire Dawa Polytechnic College.