The University of Nairobi (UoN), the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K), and Japan’s Shimizu Corporation have signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening engineering education, skills development, and construction industry training while creating global employment opportunities for Kenyan graduates.
The agreement is expected to enhance industry-academia collaboration, accelerate the employability of fresh graduates, and deepen Kenya-Japan relations in education, innovation, and infrastructure development.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, described the partnership as a significant milestone that will open new opportunities for Kenyan talent. She noted that Shimizu Corporation, one of Japan’s leading engineering and construction firms, is set to absorb engineers and architects from the two universities through structured training and employment pathways.
“This partnership reflects the growing confidence in the quality of Kenya’s higher education and professional training. It strengthens international linkages that will enhance skills development, knowledge exchange, and global career pathways for our graduates,” said Dr. Inyangala.
She added that the collaboration demonstrates a shared commitment by Kenya and Japan to skills development and sustainable growth.
“Our partnership is geared towards building bridges that connect education, innovation, and employment opportunities for the next generation of professionals,” she said.
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The signing ceremony was witnessed by several dignitaries, including Ambassador Isaiya Kabira from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Kenya’s Ambassador to Japan Amb. Moi Lemoshira, vice-chancellors of UoN and TU-K, and senior representatives from Shimizu Corporation, among them Senior Managing Officer Hitoshi Fujita and Human Resource Group Leader Kenzo Matsumoto.
At the heart of the agreement is the establishment of the Shimizu Academy, which will provide a structured training pathway combining Japanese language instruction in Kenya with advanced construction management training in Japan.
The Japanese construction giant also announced plans to establish its first African training academy in Nairobi.
Under the programme, between five and ten students annually from engineering, architecture, building, and construction disciplines will be competitively selected to participate in a three-year training programme.
The initiative includes one year of Japanese language training in Kenya, targeting Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N3 certification, followed by hands-on construction management training and work experience in Japan.
University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof. Eng. Ayub Gitau, who signed the agreement on behalf of the institution, described the initiative as transformative and timely, particularly as universities embrace Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET).
“Our learners will benefit from structured international exposure that enhances both technical capability and professional readiness,” said Prof. Gitau.
He noted that selected graduates from architecture, civil engineering, and construction management programmes will gain practical experience in Japan before returning home equipped with skills relevant to large-scale infrastructure projects across Kenya and Africa.
Shimizu Corporation Senior Managing Officer Hitoshi Fujita said the programme seeks to develop engineers capable of contributing to Africa’s infrastructure growth while gaining valuable global experience.
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“With Kenya possessing strong human capital, we aim to nurture engineers who can support infrastructure development across Africa while benefiting from international exposure,” said Fujita.
Kenzo Matsumoto emphasized that the programme goes beyond technical training by cultivating professionals committed to sustainable development and responsible leadership in the construction sector.
Ambassador Lemoshira hailed the agreement as a model of international cooperation, highlighting the importance of linking Kenyan universities with Japan’s industrial ecosystem.
“This collaboration demonstrates the value of partnerships between academic institutions and industry in expanding opportunities for young professionals,” he said.
The partnership aligns with the Kenya-Japan Labour Mobility Agenda and is being supported by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs as part of the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in promoting youth employment and labour mobility.
Beyond student training, the framework provides for technology transfer, joint research, innovation, faculty collaboration, and sustainable infrastructure development. Joint operations will involve UoN’s Faculty of Engineering and TU-K’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.
The collaboration comes as Shimizu Corporation strengthens its footprint in Africa following the relocation of its regional headquarters from Dubai to Nairobi, underscoring its long-term commitment to the Sub-Saharan African market.
The partners expressed confidence that the initiative will contribute significantly to Kenya’s growing demand for skilled infrastructure professionals while reinforcing collaboration between academia, government, and industry.
By WAKHUNGU ANDANJE
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