Stakeholders in the Education sector have expressed the need for higher learning institutions to re-evaluate and update their sylabus to align with the current job market demands.
Catherine Muraga, the Microsoft ADC Managing Director, emphasised the importance of universities reassessing their teaching programs to ensure graduates possess the skills and knowledge currently in demand in the job market.
“Universities that are yet to review their curriculum need to consider the opportunities and take advantage of engagements to ensure they churn out market ready graduates. They should look for partnerships like the one we are now having with Zetech University,” stated Muraga.
Speaking at Zetech University Mangu campus in Juja, Kiambu county, Muraga highlighted a skills gap in the previous curriculums owing to widened technological advancements and evolving industry requirements that continue to outperform the current educational offerings.
On her part, Kiambu Deputy Governor Rosemary Kirika stressed that a collaborative approach between educational institutions and corporate entities is crucial to shaping the future workforce.
Kirika stated that the government and other employers in the job market are employing staff with expertise in artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital marketing.
“Unfortunately, many graduates lack these crucial skills, leading to a mismatch between what the job market needs and what universities are producing,” noted Kirika.
Her sentiments were echoed by Prof. Alice Njuguna who is the Zetech University Deputy Vice-Chancellor who revealed that the introduction of the new courses at the university will ensure that the students are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing global landscape.
“At this university, we first identify what the problem is in the market, then rethink the solution with the help of the industry stakeholders looking at the international standards before introducing a course,” she told journalists.
She called on universities to come up with meticulously designed and evaluated programs for better educational outcomes.
On his part, Zetech University Vice Chancellor Professor Njenga Munene called on the industrialists to offer students attachments to give them exposure and opportunities to showcase their expertise citing this as a major challenge.
