Some 12 African Ministers of Education are scheduled to meet in Nairobi starting tomorrow for the 6th Forum of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET).

 The forum, to be held between April 23-25, brings together the academia, industry and governments across Africa to discuss the future of skills, education and entrepreneurship in the continent.

The theme of the conference is “Leveraging Technical, Vocational and Technical Training (TVET) in the knowledge and skills ecosystem for Africa’s industrialisation”.

The forum, to be held at Safari Park Hotel, will particularly discuss the role of African higher education in shaping the Continent’s green economy and the future of work. More than 500 participants are expected to attend the forum.

Speaking a head of the conference, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Education Ezekiel Machogu said:

“Africa’s socio-economic transformation relies on its ability to develop relevant skills, and promote scientific research and technology for industry and society.”

He added: “It is evident that our collective efforts are not only driving the advancement of science, technology and innovation in Africa but are also laying the foundation for socio-economic transformation across our nations. I am in no doubt that the objectives we set to achieve in the 6th PASET Forum will be achieved,” Dr Machogu added.

The Forum will discuss the nature and type of knowledge and skills required for Africa’s industrialisation, specifically the development and diffusion of digital technologies like AI, robotics, and data analytics in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the continent.

 Kenya’s Ministry of Education is collaborating with the PASET Secretariat, and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) – the Regional Coordination Unit for PASET’s Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) – to organise the event.

 Several PASET countries will share their experiences and expectations of how skills should evolve and prepare the continent’s youth for the future of work and industrialisation.

 The Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) scholars, together with their mentors, supervisors and other stakeholders, in the higher education sector in Africa and abroad will showcase their work addressing needs for the green economy and future of work.