Strathmore University) launched the Institute of Management and Technology at Strathmore Auditorium Hall today 11^th September 2018 at Strathmore University.

The event which was graced by the Principal Secretary (PS) for State Department of Vocational and Technical Training Dr. Kevit Desai is a move by the institute to re-align with TVET Act 2013.

In Kenya, education experts have predicted that the success of our economic growth will be hinged on an adequate supply of middle-level technical skills. At the same time, the World Bank has warned that the East Africa region and Kenya in particular risks missing long-term economic growth targets due to a widening disconnect between labour market skills needs and its graduates. The rationale behind the enactment of the TVET ACT 2013 was to address the job skills and, more so, to ensure an increased and sustained enrolment ratio of 20% by the year 2030. This has indeed been a ground-breaking move on the part of government to revamp our entire education system with a view of making the lives of our youth better.

“I must admit that the current TVET uptake in Kenya is low due to the stigma attached to this type of education. We need to move towards competence based TVET education to match the entrepreneurial and innovation of the current world we live in” adds Dr. Kevit Desai, PS for State Department of Vocational and Technical Training.

Competence based TVET education will truly succeed when the academic world and the industry strengthen their partnerships. When this is done, it will eliminate the current challenge of simply churning graduates and instead provide a strong pipeline of human capital that can be used not only locally but regionally and internationally.

It is this knowledge of the fast paced industry changes that led Strathmore University to establish the Strathmore Institute of Management and Technology in 2017 and subsequently completed its registration with the Technical and Vocational Training Authority. The Institute’s core offering of seven diploma courses and six professional certifications seeks to build on a heritage of quality, excellence, an entrepreneurial and innovative mind-set already established by Strathmore University.

Currently the Diploma in Journalism and New Media; Diploma in Entrepreneurship; Diploma in International Relations; and Diploma in Procurement have been already rolled out, while other courses to be rolled out in the near future.

“We need to unlearn and learn again, have a thinking agility and a founder’s mentality, said Paul Kasimu Director of Resources, Safaricom.  “If we have these three things aligned, we will begin to see the changes we so desire” he added.

“Indeed The launch of Strathmore Institute of Management & Technology could not have been at a better time. Not only are these a driver for the government’s Big 4 agenda, but are also aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals that calls for provision of quality education sustainably,” adds the Principal, Strathmore Institute of Management and Technology, Mr. Patrick Kibui.