The Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the EASTRIP Regional Facilitation, together with the World Bank, signed a cooperation agreement with the People’s Republic of China to offer scholarships to lecturers from Regional Flagship TVET Institutes (RFTIs) to upgrade their qualification to support advancement of TVET in East Africa. 17 Scholarships were awarded to tutors and lecturers from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. Below we explore their testimonies:

Hazel Faith Gacheri

My name is Hazel Faith Gacheri, a beneficiary of the EASTRIP China TVET scholarship, to pursue a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management at Zhengzhou University in China. The bias with which I have chosen this field is driven by passion for the construction industry, in Kenya it contributes to 7 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), with economic growth averaging over 5% per annum over the past ten years, employing over one million people. For an industry with so much potential it is notoriously slow at adopting new technologies, than can result in better productivity.

With a background in Mechatronics engineering which is fast paced in terms of technology advancement, it will marry very well with the modern construction technologies giving me an added advantage when it comes to innovation and further exploration of integration of automation and robotics in the construction field.

Studying in China, which has made tremendous strides in the construction industry having been awarded over 70% of Kenya’s large public sector infrastructure projects in the past decade, presents me with a great opportunity to learn from their vast knowledge, skills and techniques. Equipping me with the know-how which resolves one of the main challenges in the field which is unskilled labor. This will have a ripple effect as I will be at a position to equip trainees with matching skillset for the industry they will get to upon graduation.

My area of interest for research is in Building Information Modelling (BIM) integration in the Construction Industry with a bias for SMEs that account for 3% of the GDP. This is a fairly new technology that can address some of the main challenges faced in the industry such as cost escalation, delayed completion, collapse/ site abandonment and financial losses that result due to lack of adequate coordination and management, these completely cripple the SMEs running most out of business. This can be easily resolved by use of BIM that can help with scheduling and planning as well as communication and collaboration which can lead to better productivity.

Bikla Adugna

I am attending Crop cultivation and farming system from Nanjing Agriculture University in China. Crop cultivation and farming system focus on the study of the law of crop growth and development and the relationship with the external environment. Nanjing Agricultural University (NAU) is a Chinese national Key institution of higher learning, directly affiliated to Chinese Ministry of Education. Famously known for its established disciplines in agriculture and life science. I hope I will gain many knowledge, skills and attitude from this legendary University. After graduation I will implement what I will gain on the development of my country, especially on the Agricultural sector.

Caxton Kibebe

Ever since I finished my undergraduate, I have always wished to advance my education to pursue renewable energy to enable me to design systems that offer practical solutions as an authority. The EASTRIP China TVET Scholarship has made my dream come true in specializing in renewable energy. This is great as I plan to do projects that would help people access sustainable alternative energy solutions, as the cost of power from the national grid is becoming unaffordable. I am undertaking a Masters in Renewable Energy and Clean Power at the Liaoning Technical University.

Daniel Mayala

Currently, I am pursuing my master’s degree in Power Electronics at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC) under the EASTRIP China TVET Scholarship.

At the university, I am acquiring knowledge as expected from highly qualified and dedicated professors. This knowledge is as important to my community as we move towards renewable energies to compact the effects of climatic changes. Power electronics increase efficiencies of energy utilization, so the harnessed energy can be utilized effectively to power machines for production. This opportunity from the EASTRIP China TVET Scholarship has brought a remarkable impact on my life and the community will benefit from this by utilizing available energy sources profitably in day-to-day production activities.

Isaiah Aganyo Ong’ong’a

Having qualified for EASTRIP China TVET Scholarship, I was admitted at Nanjing University of Astronautics and Aeronautics where I’m currently pursuing a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Career wise, this scholarship will provide me with a great opportunity to achieve my career goals by helping pay my university fee for the mentioned program which I would otherwise not be able to manage due to the high cost. Through this scholarship, I would also be able to acquire adequate technological skills in the field of electrical Engineering which is essential for career progression. After completing my studies, I hope to help bridge the gap in skills shortage and mismatch in Kenya especially in the sector of energy. Lack of electrical connectivity and high cost of electrical energy are some of the key challenges faced by Kenyans most so in the rural areas. When properly provided with renewable energy from sources such as solar and wind, their socio-economic status as well as that of the country will improve. Both solar and wind are readily available in Kenya and with the right skills and expertise, we can make important steps forward as a country by exploiting the value of these two resources.

Merga Nagassa Uka

Most of agricultural products are lost in different stage of production value chain. One of the solutions for properly using production is processing of agricultural products. This area is the top 3 focusing area of Africa for the coming 40 years (2063 African plan). In order to realize this plan highly educate people are required. I hope I will be one of the citizens who will contribute for this sector for the benefits of society.

Yeshiwond Molla

My name is Yeshiwond Molla Alem, from Ethiopian Railway Corporation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I am currently studying PhD in Road and Railway Engineering at Chang’an University, Xian, China.

Since I am currently working in a Railway Construction Company as a Railway Engineer, the program of study directly fits to my current position and is highly valuable to expand my skills and knowledge in the road and railway transport sector throughout my career. This scholarship will give me an opportunity to contribute my skills and experience to the development of efficient transport system by expanding modern road and railway infrastructure in Ethiopia and East Africa as well.

Yimer Mohammed Hassen.

I am from Ethiopian Technical University previously known as the Federal TVET Institute in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I was awarded the EASTRIP China TVET scholarship in 2021/22 Academic Year. I am a Doctoral candidate, a Material Science and Engineering student at the University of Science and Technology Beijing. After graduation, I plan to work and solve problems in the fields of material science and engineering for my home nation of Ethiopia, Africa, and the rest of the world. I am really grateful to the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) and the Chinese government.