By Standard Reporter
Kenya: It was a crowning moment for Kaiboi Technical Training Institute (KTTI) as it held the first graduation ceremony in its 50 years of existence.
The institution that received ISO 9001:2008 certification recently marked the occasion with pomp. The graduation marked the end of a tumultuous period, which at one time saw the institution nearly collapse due to low enrolment and debts owed to suppliers.
“As we mark this momentous occasion, we need to use this opportunity to take stock of our achievements in regard to our mandate and guided by our vision to be a world-class model in the provision of quality and relevant technical training,” said principal Charles Koech.
The students who were graduating undertook courses geared towards production of skilled labour intended to propel the country towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
Full scholarships
“We mounted new courses that resulted in increased enrolment from the paltry 70 students in 2003 to the current 1,300 regular students in all academic departments. We have been working closely with the ministry and stakeholders in the technical sector to achieve this,” explained Koech during the ceremony.
The college started as a trade school and has now grown into a fully accredited higher institution of learning.
The college has embraced technology and new management practices that have seen its library computerised and students access internet.
Kaiboi Chairman Isaac Sang attributed the college’s past poor performance to offering of crafts programmes in mechanical, carpentry and automobile engineering, which did not attract many students.
He added the college evaluated its weak points and worked on them, which has enabled them to succeed. “We are happy that we are holding our first graduation. This is only the beginning and we know the best is yet to come.”
Collaborations with other players in the sector have also seen 33 students being offered full scholarships by Mosop Constituency Fund and many others benefitting from TIVET bursaries.
