The Mombasa Polytechnic University College hosts the 21st Bi-annual CAPA Conference



The Mombasa Polytechnic University College is the proud host of the ongoing 21st Commonwealth of Polytechnics in Africa Bi-annual Conference that runs from 30th April to 4th May 2012. The conference whose theme is ‘TVET institutions as a platform for Industrial Development in Africa’ was opened by Honourable Asman Kamama, the Assistant Minister in The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, on behalf of Prof. Margaret Kamar.

During the opening ceremony, the Principal of Mombasa Polytechnic University College, Prof. Josphat Mwatelah, implored the delegates not to let the ideas shared during the conference to gather dust. He urged them to ensure that they are actualized in their respective countries. Only then shall Africa, as a continent, be able to realize its dream of development.

Also present was the Director of Technical Education, Mr. Norman Wambayi. He said that the Kenyan government had established TVET institutions to carry out national development programs through improving access, equality, equity, good governance and efficient use of resources. The government was set to expand facilities for teaching and learning, and was also keen to have at least one TVET institution ion each of the 47 counties. So far, 38 counties already had.

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In his keynote address, Prof. Abdulrazak Shaukat(pictured left), the National Council of Science and Technology CEO noted three key concerns namely where we are, where we would like to be and how to get there. He went on to state that the major challenge facing TVET was the poor perception upheld by people that it is only for those students who have not excelled to join university alongside inadequate financing. Prof. Shaukat noted that TVET institutions do not also carry out research and there was also lack of implementation of policies across Africa. He urged the delegates to promote excellence and relevance in training since in order to achieve excellence; we need a generation of hands-on people.

In her speech, read by Hon. Kamama (pictured right), the Minister for Higher Education,  Prof. Margaret Kamar noted that technical education can be

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used as a catalyst for innovation and creativity and urged governments across Africa to relentlessly support access to TVET education. She gladly noted that most governments in Africa had taken an active role in laying the groundwork for the provision of quality TVET education, Kenya included. She lauded CAPA for being a platform for which technical institutions in Africa can share and exchange views on TVET.

Hon. Kamama(pictured right) reiterated that employment of youth is pegged on empowerment and strengthening of TVET institutions. He observed that the Asian Tigers, who once upon a time depended on Africa for grants had succeeded because they put much emphasis on technical education.  For this to work better, Hon. Kamama said there was need to have private sector involved in the TVET programs in order to avoid mismatches in the job market.

Other dignitaries who addressed the delegates during the opening ceremony included Ms. Alison M. Richardson on behalf of the Commonwealth of Learning- Canada; Prof. John Kondoro, Chairman CAPA;  Mr. Olubunmi Owoso, Secretary general CAPA; Dr. M.A. Kazaure from the National Board for Technical education- Nigeria; Mr. Edwin Tarno, Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions.

A vote of thanks was given by Dr. Tunje Kadere to Mombasa Technical Training Institute for co-hosting the conference alongside the MPUC. He also thanked Kenya Accountants and Secretaries National Examinations Board, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutions who had worked towards the success of the CAPA conference.

A total of eleven countries were represented at the conference with delegates coming from Gambia, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and the host country Kenya.

The next CAPA conference will be held in Zambia towards the end of the year.