Mount Kenya University (MKU) has held a celebratory send-off ceremony for the 5th Cohort of nursing apprentices, marking yet another milestone in the institution’s commitment to expanding global career pathways for Kenyan students.
The 5th cohort, comprising 27 apprentices, will depart for Germany to begin their apprenticeship training on April 1, 2026.
The programme spearheaded by the university aims at equipping students with practical skills, global exposure and giving them access to international job markets.
Since its inception in 2023, the Nursing Apprenticeship Programme has grown into impactful international initiatives with this week’s send-off bringing the total number of students who have benefited from the Germany apprenticeship initiative to 81.
During the ceremony, the university acknowledged the role played by Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, the key academic partner supporting programme development and implementation. AG-Career Hub in Germany provides mentorship and supports student transition into the German healthcare system.
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The programme’s healthcare partners in Germany include facilities in Bad Mergentheim, Göttingen, Pirmasens and Alzey, which offer high-quality apprenticeship placements.
This comes after the university sealed a partnership with Chinese ICT institutions to Advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9). The landmark five-year deal with two leading institutions from China will strengthen innovation, digital skills and infrastructure development in line with its global role as the UN’s Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for SDG 9 — Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
The agreement, signed virtually on 18 March 2026, brings together MKU, Nanjing Zhongxing Xinyada Information Technology Co. Ltd (Xinyada) and the Nanjing Vocational College of Information Technology (NJCIT). The deal is expected to drive large scale skills development and digital transformation across Kenya and the broader African region.
According to MKU Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, the collaboration aligns with the university’s mission to promote world class education, research and innovation for sustainable development. “We have already received the first consignment of ICT equipment from Xinyada, which will support teaching and research,” he added.
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The partnership will focus on several flagship initiatives, including the establishment of a China–Africa Skills Supermarket, promotion of cloud computing platforms, exchange programmes for staff and students and joint skills-based trainings.
It also involves digital cooperation such as institutional website back linking. The efforts are geared toward strengthening digital infrastructure and fostering innovation — a key pillars of SDG 9.
Xinyada, a recognized high tech enterprise in China, specializes in digital product development, platform building and international ICT skills training.
NJCIT, one of China’s top state-owned ICT institutions, offers industry leading programmes in artificial intelligence (AI), network and communication, intelligent manufacturing and digital business. It already collaborates with universities in South Africa and Ethiopia.
The partnership will also contribute to Kenya Vision 2030, the East African Community Vision 2050, and the African Union Agenda 2063 by building a skilled workforce capable of driving industrial growth and technological advancement across Africa.
By John Kamau
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