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Nairobi hosts key educational forum to advance technology skills in Africa

Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at the Launch of Kenya's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy for Inclusive Economic Growth at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on March 22, 2024. (Photo: EduMin)

By Lucy Mumbi | 22 Apr 2024

With over 500 attendees expected, the event seeks to be a pivotal event in shaping the educational policies and initiatives.

Nairobi County will host the sixth edition of the Forum of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET) this week at Safari Park Hotel.

Running from Tuesday, April 23 to Thursday, April 25, 2024, the forum will bring together education ministers from 12 African nations and experts from academia, industry, and government sectors to discuss strategies for advancing education and entrepreneurship throughout the continent.

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With over 500 attendees expected, the event seeks to be a pivotal event in shaping the educational policies and initiatives that will drive Africa’s technological and industrial advancements in the coming years.

The forum, themed “Leveraging Technical, Vocational, and Technical Training (TVET) in the knowledge and skills ecosystem for Africa’s industrialisation,” further aims to address key educational strategies that will support Africa's move towards a green economy and prepare for future job markets.

Speaking ahead of the event, Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu stressed the critical role of developing relevant skills and promoting scientific and technological research to achieve socio-economic transformation.

“Our joint efforts are crucial in advancing science and technology, which are fundamental to the socio-economic transformation of our countries,” Machogu stated, while addressing the media at his office along Harambee Avenue in Nairobi.

“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.”

Discussions at the forum will focus on the integration of emerging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, and data analytics, into Africa's entrepreneurial sectors. These conversations are expected to delineate the types of knowledge and skills that will be crucial for the continent's industrial growth.

The event has been organised in collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Education, the PASET Secretariat, and the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), which serves as the Regional Coordination Unit for PASET’s Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF).

PASET member countries will offer insights on the evolution of educational skills, sharing their visions for preparing Africa’s youth for imminent industrial and employment transformations.

Additionally, Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (RSIF) scholars and their mentors will present their research and projects, highlighting innovative solutions tailored to the needs of the green economy and the future workplace.