Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT) has established stronger partnerships with other academic institutions with the recently signed Cooperation Agreement with Taita Taveta University (TTU). The agreement will enable joint delivery of highway engineering diploma programmes, staff and student exchanges, collaborative research, and capacity building.

TTU’s Taveta Campus, which is close to the Kenya–Tanzania border, will provide a unique platform to promote cross-border technical training, a key objective of East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP). The collaboration is expected to increase access to engineering programmes and create mobility opportunities for students and professionals across the region.

During the signing ceremony, Arch. Githiri said, “KIHBT has been forming partnerships with institutions near border point to promote regional integration”.

Prof. Christine Onyango, TTU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics, Research and Outreach, urged KIHBT to develop a framework for awarding continuous professional development (CPD) points, a crucial step toward professional registration for graduate engineers.

One of the moments during the KIHBT visit to TTU came from the local community. The Isangaiwishi Development Cooperation, a community development group, announced a donation of 1,000 acres of land to support TTU’s expansion. The land will be used to develop new research and training infrastructure, providing a valuable resource for KIHBT-TTU collaborations and demonstrating how communities are investing in education for long-term impact.

Launched with the goal of improving technical and vocational education across East Africa, EASTRIP is helping institutions like KIHBT modernise their training, strengthen industry linkages, and promote regional integration.

At KIHBT, the project has already led to upgrades in training facilities, staff development, curriculum alignment with labour market needs, and expanded partnerships at national and regional levels.

As Kenya continues to invest in roads, energy, housing, and public works, the need for a highly skilled workforce is greater than ever. EASTRIP’s approach offers a compelling model for how technical institutions can work hand-in-hand with industry, academia, and communities to deliver graduates who are not only qualified, but ready to lead.

By Beatrice Njenga, Communication Specialist for EASTIP at Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology