Institutions of higher learning have been challenged to invest more in research courses and skills-development to reduce the rate of unemployment among the youths in the country.
Former Chuka University Vice Chancellor Prof. Erastus Njoka said it is important to fund the courses as they are practical-based and will play key roles in sectors such as manufacturing, innovation, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
Speaking in Kirinyaga County during Mount Kenya Education Exhibition, Njoka called on players in the education sector to guide students to take up research courses which will enable them to be self-employed and form an efficient workforce in the country.
“Currently, the world needs a skilled and competent workforce for self and the country’s economic growth. Parents should not force their children into universities if they didn’t attain the required grade but allow them to join technical colleges where they will get better skills,” Njoka said.
During the exhibition, students from various secondary schools interacted and got advice on course selection from experts from regional universities and technical colleges.
Njoka who was the guest speaker said the tertiary institutions have been underfunded in research activities for long, leading to the perception that only first world countries are entitled to offer research courses.
“Our local universities were for long not funded owing to such falsehoods that you must go abroad to do research. We do need more funds injected into that crucial department in order to facilitate research of some of the hard pressing issues that affect our communities,” noted the Professor.
He further appealed for the integration of entrepreneurship related courses in a bid to sharpen skills of the business minded students who are future employees.
The former VC further called for sobriety in the latest conversation surrounding the privatisation of public universities. He said the state should get good advice so that the needy students are not be left out because they may not afford to pay fees.
“We have to look at all best practices from all over the world. Generally, universities are funded and I’m sure our president will get the right advice,” reiterated Njoka.
“It is not good to privatise all public universities because that is where many of the students who hail from humble backgrounds go. Let education be affordable and students be allowed to pay fees which is reasonable,” he said.
Renowned Kirinyaga businessman Charles Njiru called on more students to pursue business-related courses in a bid to join the entrepreneurship fraternity. He said this would help in converting more Kenyans from job seekers into job creators and help employ many more qualified professionals.
By Mutai Kipngetich
