Partner with foreign institutions to broaden graduate skills

From left: HELB CEO Charles Ringera, KCA University VC Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki, Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, and Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Kakamega Governor Fernades Barasa has called on universities to match their academic programs with foreign institutions of higher learning to broaden the skillset of their graduates.

Barasa who was speaking during the KCA University founder's day said that the local institutions of higher learning offering management courses should focus on collaboration with the universities abroad, especially on areas of Research and Public Finance Management.

He said that this would also improve the quality of accountancy and financial management training in Kenya.

Barasa also called on institutions of higher learning to collaborate with stakeholders locally as well as County Governments to tailor-make courses that he said, would lead to the academic growth of their staff.

According to Barasa, this collaboration is needed in the country since there are needs in the job market that can be filled with short courses.

Barasa also called on the institutions to take advantage of the needs that the world is looking to satisfy and introduce courses in that line.

He cited Petroleum, gas and good governance as among the skills that are highly required in the world and hence creating room for employment.

He said if institutions would train Kenyans in these fields then it would go a long way to solve the unemployment crisis witnessed in the country.

Going Paperless

The university has embraced a paperless system as it embarks on an ambitious effort to contribute to the fight against climate change through digital transformation.

The institution is among those that are mulling new ways to respond to the climate crisis that has hit the world. The development comes as the pains of climate change continue to bite.

This came to the fore as the institution held a public debate forum in Kisumu aimed at promoting public debate on sustainable innovation to respond to the challenges facing the world.

According to the institution's VC Professor Isaiah Wakindiki, the institution is responding to the need to contribute to the fight against climate change by going paperless.

The effort is part of a wider strategy that also entails massive investments in research to help cope up with the transformations taking place.

"We are becoming a paperless institution so that we cut down on consumption on wood products," said the VC.

The VC said that key components of their services have now embraced paperless systems and believes the move is a significant step to help contribute to the climate debate.

"We have embraced significant changes and we no longer send memos on papers," said the professor.

Wakindiki noted that it is important to take innovative steps to contribute to the desired change.