By Kamau Njoroge
Securing industrial attachments has been a thorn in the flesh for most students in higher learning institutions across the country.
Most students have been forced to tarmac for long periods of time in search for the vital and mandatory field training in their respective faculties of study.
Students at Zetech University are however a happy lot after the institution’s administration managed to seal deals that will see them secure internship slots in established and renowned business entities in the country.
The University has already entered partnership deals with the multinational IT firm IBM, Sameer Africa and the Kiambu County Chambers of Commerce, deals that will ease students’ industrial training that will sharpen and enable them put their academic knowledge into practice.
The partnership will see the establishment of an IBM Skills Academy at Zetech where students will be trained to utilize advanced computing that will go a long way to address local and national challenges.
The Skills lab and an Academic Technical Certification Program for Universities will further assist students to prepare for a rewarding career in IT through building local capability in line with international standards.
The University has in its latest partnership inked a deal with Samchi Group of Companies-that is a giant empire in telecommunication- a deal that will facilitate industrial training for students undertaking IT, telecommunication and Digital marketing courses.
Speaking during the MoU signing at the institution’s main campus in Ruiru, Vice Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene said that the partnership will enhance modeling the students into better citizens who will have an impact in the community and the country at large.
Munene told students to uphold integrity, discipline and professionalism so as to benefit from the opportunities availed to them by Samchi Group.
“We want our students to be resourceful and live in integrity so that they can be a problem solving lot so as to make meaningful contributions to the community and the country at large,” the VC said.
“The internship programme is imperative in imparting technical training to students and sharpening their skills as well as giving them the exposure of what is expected in the field. We expect positive reports from our students and for this one (Samchi Group deal) they will get payments so they have no reason to register negative reports,” he added.
Samchi Group of Companies CEO Esther Wanjiru Muchemi said that business magnates in the country must be ready to assist students by recruiting them for internship programmes in their business firms.
“I’m usually riled by people especially those in the political class who always reprimand the youth, mostly students, for their behaviours. If you don’t act as a role model by shaping their career paths and guiding them, then you don’t have to question about them. These (students) are the future of our country and must be supported,” Muchemi said.
Muchemi noted that her business empire which includes Micro Finance, Hotel (hotel After 40) and Telecommunication outlets across the country will be incorporating 60 students per trimester from Zetech University for practical and technical training.
Muchemi, known as an Mpesa Agent pioneer, quit her job as an auditor which she had done for 16 years to start and build Samchi Group- a company that is one of Kenya’s biggest telecommunication dealerships and whose interests extend into real estate, microfinance and hospitality.
She called on the students to develop the right attitude, be entrepreneurial and be well versed with the rapidly changing technological trends saying that even at her company she will train them to be employers.
“Soft skills go beyond technical skills and we must endeavor to be techno-preneurial individuals because there’s a wide application of technology in almost all areas. Therefore don’t miss on the relevant technology,” she said.
Students welcomed the deal saying that will end their struggle in securing internship slots.
Ends…
CAPTION: Zetech University VC Prof Njenga Munene (2nd right) exchanges signed MoU with Samchi Group of companies CEO Esther Muchemi (2nd left) at the University in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
