Students from various technical institutions showcased the skills they have through various innovations during Mt Kenya East Job Fair in Embu.
At the Samburu Technical Institute, students have been able to get a digital timetable that is placed at a doorstep visible for lecturers and students so as to prepare for the next lesson.
This is to phase out the printing of many timetables and pinning them on notice boards.
“The innovation of a digital timetable is replace manual timetable that used to be printed on papers and to avoid students lining up at the notice board checking the next lesson. The digital timetable is placed at the door step in a room that is visible to all students and lecturers,” said Caroline Makena, an ICT student.
The digital timetable has 8 buttons powered by 5v mobile phone adapter and a computer.
The students have also been able to make a semi-automated PBC Printer, a monitor for Radio, TV and computer.
This innovations was exhibited by Khadija Wario who is an electrical engineering student at the institution.
The Women in Technology development was initiated by the Principal who initiated the women in technical education development.
The innovation is a combination of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and ICT through the supervision under the Engineering lecturer Shadrack Mutinda on a 50/50 rule.
“Our students work in pairs on a 50/50 rule to ensure that all students get the knowledge required,” said Mutinda.
The institutions got to the national level taking home silver after emerging position two in the Mt Kenya West competition.
The TTI has been able to enrol many students keeping in mind that the area is marred by cattle rustling.
“Many students have enrolled in the institution so as to end cattle rustling as a way to change their lives and livelihood. Through engineering courses, Samburu has been able to change their ways of life. The only difference is clothes but the energy, education is same,” Mutinda said.
Hilda Wanja showed how to do irrigation digitally which can be monitored anywhere using a phone and a strong network.
Michael Biwott lecturer also came up with a safe pesticide instead of using chemically products made that is harmful to the environment. This is to cut the cost of production.
The pesticide can eliminate termites, crickets, locusts and other ants (the homemade pesticide) is made of tobacco and is affordable. Students who enrol for artisan, craft in diploma get an opportunity to work at the Turkana wind power.
Ndia Technical emerged winners clinching gold after they showcased how a robotic machine can be used to ease work in different areas from factories and farming.
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The lecturer John Paul Galabuzi said that the government can also use robots in insecure areas; not necessarily to send human soldiers to die.
“The technology we have can be used to fight in insecure areas where soldiers shouldn’t be sent, the government needs to adapt the technology,” said Paul.
The technology can be used in agriculture spraying and also be used in cars to reduce accidents. “We don’t want to spend much, let us try to reduce labour.”
The job fair attracted 40 learning institutions.
Principal Secretary State Department of Technical Vocation and Education Training Dr Esther Mworia said as the world celebrates a centurion of technical institutions asking youths need to enrol in the institutions disclosing that those that will join the institutions will study all way to the University level.
“Kenyans should not be afraid to join our technical institutions. Those that will join the technical institutions will go up to the University unlike in the past,” said Mworia.
Mworia said that jobseekers who do not have skills can enrol in the learning institutions for skills.
The job fair also brought about 41 registered and licensed recruiting agencies where they were able to identify skilled jobseekers.
Also she said there is recognition of prior learning is where Kenyan have worked for years without certification can also enrol to be certified.
The three-day jobs fair for Mt Kenya East was held in Embu saw atleast over 8000 jobseekers attend and interacted with various institutions.
By Jane Mugambi
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