By Beatrice Njenga
KIHBT, through the World Bank-funded EASTRIP Project organized an international benchmarking mission to Ethiopia. This followed the signing of a Co-operation Agreement (CA) between General Wingate Polytechnic College (GWPTC), Ethiopia and Kenya Institute of Highways and Building Technology (KIHBT) on 23rd September 2022.
The agreement required that a joint workplan for implementation of the articles of the the agreement be developed. GWPTC therefore invited a team from KIHBT to develop the implementation workplan.
In addition, the KIHBT team in partnership with the GWPTC team undertook benchmarking visits to various similar institutions in Ethiopia. These are: Ethiopian Roads Administration (ERA) Headquarters, ERA Road Research Centre, Ginchi Labour Based Road Construction and Maintenance Technology Training Center (under ERA), Alemgena Engineering & Management Training Centre Directorate (under ERA), Ethiopian Aviation Academy as well as Misale Driver Training Academy.
Collectively, the KIHBT team benchmarked on best practices in sustainability, Industry Advisory Committee (IAC) involvement in training, incubation and support for SMEs, Management of training centres, Road Technologies, Training methodology, Capacity building courses, resource mobilization for equipping of training facilities as well as use of modern equipment in the delivery of training.
A key outcome of the benchmarking visit was the initiating of a staff exchange programme between GWPTC and KIHBT, as well as the drafting of a proposal on further partnership and co-operation between ERA and KIHBT.
The institute was represented by the Director, Deputy Director/EASTRIP Project Coordinator, the Deputy Principal Administration, the Resident Instructor Ngong Campus, the Assistant Director Hospitality Services, the EASTRIP Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the EASTRIP Industry Liaison Officer and the EASTRIP Safeguards & Gender Officer who is also the Regional Outreach Coordinator.
KIHBT Team during a visit to Ginhi Centre at ERA
KIHBT Team during a visit at Ethiopian Aviation Academy
