By Wasike Elvis
Eldoret National Polytechnic today welcomed Hon. Ghislain Thierry Maguessa Ebome, the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education from the Republic of Congo (Brazzaville), as part of an official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between Kenya and the Republic of Congo in the area of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
The visit, which follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries in 2018, was focused on advancing cooperation in TVET. The delegation, which included key officials from the Ministry of Vocational and Technical Education of Congo, toured various facilities at Eldoret National Polytechnic, a leading institution in Kenya's technical training sector.
Dr. Charles Koech, the Chief Principal of Eldoret National Polytechnic, expressed his honor in hosting the distinguished visitors, noting that the partnership would enhance the growth and development of vocational education. "Today, we are hosting the Minister in charge of Vocational and Technical Training from the Republic of Congo for a benchmarking exercise aimed at fostering bilateral ties between our two countries," said Dr. Koech. "It is an important step in advancing our shared goals in TVET."
As part of the visit, the delegation also had the opportunity to tour Rivatex East Africa Limited, one of the Polytechnic’s key partners in the area of dual training, where they explored collaborations in textile and manufacturing training programs.
Speaking during the visit, Hon. Ghislain Thierry Maguessa Ebome shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "We are in an official visit to the Republic of Kenya following an agreement between our two countries. This is part of the MOU signed in 2018 to enhance cooperation in the area of technical education. We are here to visit Eldoret National Polytechnic for benchmarking, and we are impressed with the way the Polytechnic has been structured and how it is being run."
The Minister expressed optimism about future collaboration between the two countries, adding, "We are eager to collaborate and work together in advancing technical training, and we look forward to future projects that will benefit both Kenya and the Republic of Congo."
This visit marks a significant step in fostering deeper educational ties between Kenya and the Republic of Congo, with a shared vision of enhancing skills development and technical training in both nations. The partnership is expected to play a crucial role in expanding opportunities for students and professionals in the TVET sector.
