LUBAN WORKSHOP EVALUATION

Strengthening Kenya-China Collaboration Through Luban Workshop Evaluation at Machakos University

Machakos University in Kenya and Tianjin City Vocational College in China have signed a three-year cooperation agreement to enhance the impact of the Luban Workshop, established in 2019. The agreement, signed during the Luban Workshop Evaluation Conference held on Thursday, 5th December 2024, aims to promote the transfer of practical skills and expand opportunities for vocational training in the East African region.

The event, hosted at Machakos University Hotel and Conference Center, brought together senior government officials from Kenya and Tianjin Municipality in China, alongside academic and industry leaders. Keynote addresses were delivered by Prof. Joyce Agalo, Vice Chancellor of Machakos University; Dr. Christopher Gatama Gakahu, Council Chair of Machakos University; Prof. Yang Yan from Tianjin Academy of Educational Sciences and Tianjin Luban Workshop Research and Promotion Center; and Dr. Joyce Wanjiru Ngure, reading the Speech for The Cabinet Secretary, State Department of Higher Education and Research, Ministry of Education, Kenya.

Prof. Joyce Agalo emphasized that the partnership would expand the enrollment scale of Luban Workshops, boosting digital and technical skills development within the East African community.

Dr. Christopher Gatama Gakahu, Chair of the Council at Machakos University, highlighted the transformative impact of the collaboration, noting that it bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. He remarked that the initiative equips students to excel in an increasingly globalized and technologically advanced world, positioning it as more than just an educational program but a vital contributor to the national development agenda.

Prof. Li Yan, Board Chairman of Tianjin City Vocational College, highlighted the significance of the Luban Workshop as a platform for international collaboration. She noted that the workshop will serve as a hub for higher vocational and technical education, aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

Dr. Joyce Ngure, Assistant Director of Research in Kenya’s Ministry of Education, reiterated that the agreement underscored a shared commitment to capacity building and excellence in technical and vocational education.

Impact and Contributions of the Luban Workshop

The Luban Workshop at Machakos University, the second of its kind in Africa, was launched on December 14^th, 2019, aiming to provide vocational skills training to African youth under the Belt and Road Initiative. With support from China’s Ministry of Education, the Tianjin Municipal Education Commission, and the Hebei District Government, the workshop integrates industry and education to produce skilled personnel for global, technology-driven industries.

Key projects supported by the workshop include cloud data centers, cloud computing and IoT systems, urban communication and fiber-optic networks, urban safety monitoring systems, and intelligent transportation systems.

During the evaluation, critical aspects such as construction positioning, development strategies, operational management, teaching resources, and sustainability were assessed. Notable contributions included the donation of advanced equipment like laptops and 3D printers to Machakos University.

The conference concluded with remarks by Duan Yarui from the Hebei District Educational Bureau of Tianjin and Dr. Christopher Gakahu, Chairman of the Council of Machakos University.

This enhanced collaboration promises to strengthen ties between Kenya and China, leveraging the Luban Workshop as a vital platform for advancing technical education and fostering innovation in Africa.