Dr. Esther Mworia, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, has called on these institutions to embrace and commercialize innovations developed by their students and tutors. This initiative aims to boost skills development and generate substantial revenue.
Speaking at the Kenya National TVET Fair, Innovations, and Skills Competition held at Nyayo Gardens in Nakuru, Dr. Mworia emphasized the importance of forming powerful collaborations between TVET institutions and the business sector. She highlighted the need for translating research findings into industrial resources, thereby creating wealth and job opportunities.
“Our TVETs need to play a more proactive role in supporting an innovation ecosystem, especially through the recognition of innovation that can be patented,” Dr. Mworia stated. She noted that the commercialization of research is a widespread practice globally, where partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions lead to advancements in sectors such as medicine and engineering. These collaborations provide additional revenue streams for technical training institutes and universities.
Dr. Mworia also pointed out the promising future of TVETs in Kenya, underpinned by various reforms, including the transition to the Competence-Based Education and Training (CBET) curriculum. “The CBET curriculum has been developed to respond to current labor market demands and the rapid evolution of technology, addressing the issue of unemployment in the country,” she explained. The government has initiated capacity-building programs for tutors at the Kenya Technical Training College (KTTC) to ensure they are well-prepared to implement extensive pre-service and in-service training programs for all trainers.
The Principal Secretary urged TVET boards of governors to actively seek grants and sponsorships for top innovators within their institutions to support and fund their inventions. The two-day event, organized by the Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutes (KATTI) and themed ‘TVET for sustainable development and science, technology, and innovation for economic resilience,’ saw over 300 students from more than 30 TVETs showcase their innovations.
Dr. Mworia underscored the urgency for Kenyan institutions to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students. “It’s vital that we prepare our students not only for the job market but also to become job creators and employers by leveraging their creative and innovative abilities,” she said. This shift from seeking formal employment to creating jobs is essential for catalyzing economic resilience and sustainability.
Acknowledging the critical role of science, technology, and innovation in driving socio-economic transformation, Dr. Mworia stressed that applying knowledge and innovation is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and competitiveness. This is especially pertinent in addressing emerging challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic and the adverse impacts of climate change.
Dr. Mworia concluded by highlighting the importance of focusing innovative technologies on key sectors of the economy, including agriculture, tourism, ICT, and manufacturing. She asserted that research and innovation are pivotal for positioning countries favorably in a knowledge-intensive and globally competitive marketplace.
The event in Nakuru marks a significant step towards integrating TVET institutions into the broader economic framework, ensuring they become instrumental in driving Kenya’s socio-economic development through innovation and entrepreneurship.
