Mandera County set to Construct A University To Mould The Youth

“We expect to admit our first 300 students in August and the classes should start by September 1. Mandera University of Science and Technology is taking shape. We promised to have a fully-fledged university in Mandera and we are on course to delivering it in the course of this first term of devolution.” - Governor Ali Roba.

Youth development is at the core of Mandera’s growth plans. The County Government is making bold steps to build appropriate avenues, the key one being the envisaged Mandera University.

Governor Ali Roba knows that Mandera’s unique geographic and socio-economic setting is such that its vision and ambition can only be realised through a homegrown human capital with relevant skills. “We must secure the future of our youth in this County through improved transition rates at all levels. The County Government has invested heavily in turning around our academic performance,” he says.

“Even though education has not been devolved, we have committed funds through the County bursary fund to train more teachers and medical personnel. We can no longer afford to suffer due to lack of adequate personnel to guarantee continuity of services.

We are offering full scholarships for the two sectors,” continues Governor Roba.

The vision is wider. Mandera County Government has partnered with the Technical University of Kenya to open a college in Mandera. Eventually, this will give birth to Mandera University of Science and Technology. “We expect to admit our first 300 students in August and the classes should start by September 1. Mandera University of Science and Technology is taking shape. We promised to have a fully-fledged university in Mandera and we are on course to delivering it in the course of this first term of devolution,” says the Governor.

Section of Youths In Mandera set to be enrolled at Mandera University of Science and Technology

The County Government will sponsor the first 300 students to train on plumbing, masonry, electrical work, carpentry, metal work and computer science for the first term on first come first served basis. “With an average revenue inflow of Ksh8 billion per year over the next five years in this County, we expect massive construction work that will need skilled manpower. We will position our youth to benefit from the upcoming opportunities.”

The county minister for education and social services Johora Mohamed Abdi explains that Mandera benefitted from the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) National Expansion economic stimulus Project through the construction of a two-floor training facility. This was realised through the mentoring of Technical University of Kenya.

The County Government decided the facility becomes Mandera Technical College (MTC) and later grows into a university. The County commissioned a Youth Skills Needs Analysis (YSNA) study, which made recommendations for the first courses to be offered at the college. These were determined to be Automotive Engineering; Welding and Fabrication; Electrical and Electronics; and Hospitality, Food and Beverage. The four courses have potential for high employment opportunities in the County. Several other courses that are less expensive to mount were also identified. They are Human Resource Management; Sales and Marketing; Supply Chain Management; and Accounting.