Mount Kenya University (MKU) has partnered with a German institution to offer training and apprenticeship to students in healthcare in a bid to tap into the growing Germany market.
The partnership with Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences, which will be implemented through an MKU affiliate, Equip Africa Institute seeks to train students to become healthcare assistants in Germany.
The students will undertake two semesters of 14 weeks each course to attain a Certificate in Healthcare Assistant, after which they will be released to German hospitals for apprenticeship and subsequent job placement.
MKU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi said the programme is expected to start in January 2023, while apprenticeship will kick off in September same year.
He said the programme will be offered at MKU’s main campus in Thika town as well as the Mombasa Campus.
“Students will be provided with career opportunities in German hospitals. To prepare the students for the Germany market, we have also started offering German language. The students will get a salary and excellent job opportunities after completing the training,” said the VC.
Those who will be trained in Germany will not pay tuition fees and they will get a working contract for the training with a monthly salary to cater for their basic needs and accommodation.
The VC was speaking after holding talks with his counterparts from Hochschule Koblenz University at MKU’s main campus in Thika this week.
They included vice Dean of the Faculty of Business Prof. Christian Lebrenz and the institute of Social Sciences Research and Continuing Education Managing Director Prof. Stephan Bundschuh.
The partnership seeks to bridge a shortfall in the number of healthcare professionals in Germany, in which many people in the profession retire without enough people to replace them, according to a research consortium.
“Due to its aging population, Germany is facing a significant shortfall of healthcare in the coming years. Various studies estimate a deficit of between 400,000 and 600,000 vacancies by 2030,” the research consortium noted.
By Muoki Charles
