KENYA, AFRICA – College of the North Atlantic’s (CNA) work to improve technical and vocational training reaches far beyond the Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) borders. For students in Kenya, it means assistance with essential training programs in agriculture, health, manufacturing and housing.
Young Africa Works, along with the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) program, in Kenya focuses on providing such programs. CNA, in conjunction with New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and the Mastercard Foundation recently purchased a tractor and a car for North Eastern National Polytechnic in Garissa and Kabete National Polytechnic in Nairobi.
A tractor was recently donated to the North Eastern National Polytechnic in Garissa and the Kabete National Polytechnic in Nairobi as part of the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) program. CNA has been one of the many partners involved in delivering curriculum and hands-on training there for many years.
Elizabeth Vincent, CNA’s Associate Vice President, International, says the project is a huge benefit for all parties involved.
“The college is honoured to have this opportunity to work with polytechnics in Kenya again. We work closely with these institutions to develop programs that follow the Canadian model of competency-based education – producing work-ready graduates. Having the opportunity to move from theory-based program delivery to experiential learning on real equipment benefits the school, the community, the employer and economy.”
Marty Madore, CNA’s Associate Dean for the School of Natural Resources and Industrial Trades, has also been involved with this training opportunity since the beginning. He is proud to note that CNA is now completing its third project with Kenya, and he says he’s fortunate to see the projects unfold firsthand – experiences he will never forget.
“CNA is committed to internationalizing the organization, working towards becoming a globally and socially responsible college and sustainability of global scale. Kenya is part of the vision. The opportunities this provides for CNA’s staff growth and experience is immeasurable.”
Madore says the tractor and car will improve hands-on learning and training opportunities for both faculty and students in the region.
Staff members at North Eastern National Polytechnic in Garissa gather around their new vehicle. The purchase was made possible by the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) program.
“Project funds were directed toward this purchase, as it was identified as a gap at this institution,” he noted. “Training for faculty and students now can be completed at the site which the program is intended for.”
Projects like these are rewarding and represent a long-standing partnership between CNA and the polytechnical institutes there.
“It’s very emotional and perspective altering to see the impact of how a team in NL can support the development of curriculum, procurement efforts, and training preparations there,” said Madore. “It will positively impact Kenya’s technical institutions, economic improvements, and the youth in Africa.”
He explains this project shows the importance for CNA to promote training, not just in this province, but globally as well.
“As a college, we have a social responsibility to give back to others who would otherwise not be able to access this training, and promote educational development,” he said, adding that he hopes to see more collaboration with Kenya in the future.
“Canada has forged a strong relationship with the Kenyan people, its industry, and education regulators,” he said. “CNA is positioned, as public institution, to surpass the project outcomes, through collaborations like this one, toward a sustainable and continuous relationship.”
For more information about CNA and its programs, visit:
www.cna.nl.ca.
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Media contact:
Ryanne McIsaac
Content Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7870