President William Ruto has challenged universities to overhaul their academic programmes to equip students with practical skills and prepare them for the demands of the job market.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday during the award of a charter to International Leadership University (ILU), the President said institutions of higher learning must move beyond theoretical classroom instruction and embrace problem-solving approaches that expose learners to real-life challenges in communities, industries and public institutions. He outlined four commitments he wants universities to adopt to bridge the gap between academic training and industry requirements.
He said universities should work closely with employers to ensure graduates acquire relevant workplace experience before completing their studies.
Ruto called on institutions to make practical challenges part of teaching, arguing that students should be given opportunities to apply their knowledge in developing solutions to problems affecting society.
He cited urban planning challenges facing counties, service delivery gaps in hospitals and post-harvest losses in agricultural cooperatives as some of the real-life issues students could be tasked with addressing.
"Let students apply their knowledge and give us results," he said.
The President cited the overwhelming response to the government's internship programme as evidence of the growing demand among young people for opportunities to gain practical experience.
He revealed that 150,000 applications had been received within 24 hours after the government announced 50,000 internship opportunities through a digital platform. The applicants include graduates from universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and Kenya Medical Training Colleges.
Ruto said the numbers demonstrated the urgent need to expand opportunities for young people to gain exposure to actual working environments, including factories, laboratories and other professional settings.
He urged universities to take responsibility for linking their students with potential employers rather than leaving graduates to search for attachment and internship opportunities on their own.
Ruto further challenged universities to involve employers in designing academic programmes and teaching, saying industry players should help shape training to reflect the skills required in the workplace.
He named engagements with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) as part of efforts to mobilise the private sector to provide internship opportunities. The government, he said, was prepared to allocate resources to support students undertaking workplace placements.
He also announced plans to meet university vice-chancellors before the Christmas break to discuss ways of expanding access to practical training and strengthening collaboration between universities and employers.
The President's intervention comes amid growing concerns over the employability of university graduates and the mismatch between academic qualifications and labour market demands. He challenged universities to ensure their graduates leave institutions not only with academic qualifications but also with the practical competencies needed to contribute to national development.
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