‘Internet of Things is an emerging technology that is changing the way we do things so we have to embrace it and the only way to do that is to include it in the curriculum review process.’– Mr. Jared Nganyi, Manager of IoT Unit, @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University.
@iLabAfrica, Strathmore University joined fellow industry players in June at Summerdale Inn for the VocalizeIoT workshop, themed “Bridging the Gap: Aligning Tech Education with Industry Needs for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” The event brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including policymakers in agriculture, education, transport, TVETA institutions, and CEOs from companies and SMEs. This workshop was a key element of the VocalizeIoT project’s implementation phase, aimed at exploring opportunities, identifying challenges, and aligning education with industry needs to prepare for a more connected future.
Mr. Emmanuel Kweyu, Deputy Director @iLabAfrica Research Centre kicked off the workshop by celebrating the project’s six-month milestone. He highlighted the importance of embracing, incorporating, and mastering IoT technology across diverse sectors to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of the fourth industrial revolution.
In addition to his presentation, he expounded on how critical it is to provide a platform where promising individuals are provided with the necessary training, mentoring, and support to bring their ideas into existence without the financial burden. He drew attention to the existence of @iLabAfrica’s incubation center which was created for that purpose by providing communication classes for trainees to master communication skills for pitching to investors.’’@iLabAfrica does not take revenue shares from start-ups. Rather, they help manage funds instead. You cannot lay an egg and eat it” Mr. Kweyu said on a lighter note.
Joseph Shitote, a representative of WAZIUP proceeded after Mr. Kweyu’s captivating presentation with his virtual one. He laid out the overview of the project and the pilot test currently being carried out in Tanzania. The pilot follows steps of empowering TVETS with physical learning materials, providing training materials, and disseminating knowledge primarily focused on capacity development in the institutions. He reiterated that the goal is to develop a proper curriculum that is acceptable to higher bodies such as the Ministry of Education while creating opportunities for the current and younger generations.
The workshop took a short break to reflect and discuss the information presented over the delicious buffet provided by Summerdale Inn. The attendees soon returned to the session with a renewed hunger for knowledge and answers. The session commenced with two guest speakers Mr. Robert Odero, a representative of the Kenya Revenue Authority, and Mr. Francis Veto, a representative of Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Mr. Robert provided an overview of the IoT ecosystem concerning KRA operations, especially their efforts to digitize operations to minimize client interactions and increase the tax base through technologies like iTax and E-TIMS.
Mr. Francis also discussed technology adoption in industries, from automation in smaller sectors to advanced robotics in larger production lines. He shed light on the skills gap, necessitating the importation of labor, and stressed the importance of TVETs training IoT skills for global competitiveness. To combat the skills gap, he encouraged industries to train their labor force based on specific skills required, similar to practices in Germany’s automotive industries Mercedes that state training needed for potential candidates. In addition, he advocated for Dual training programs that combined 50% practical and 50% theoretical training while also upskilling trainers through retooling and industry placements to match industrial requirements.
The final segment of the session was the riveting round table discussion moderated by Mr. Jared Nganyi focusing on insights into local skills demand and opportunities in the IoT space. Participants included representatives from various sectors, including VETs, Telecommunication, SME’s
1. Garnett Mwanthi – Engineer, ABM Company
2. Dr. Edwin Ouma – IoT Club Patron, Technical University of Kenya (TUK)
3. Joyleen Cheruyot – KSTVET (TVET representative)
4. Samuel Kamunya – Head of Business Development, BasiGo Ltd. Company
5. Shadrach Korir – SoS Technical (TVET representative)
6. Dr. Margret Mwangi – IMTR (KMD) Training and Research (curriculum development)
7. John Muchiri – Phinalab Mechatronics and Embedded Systems Engineer.
8. Aron Ayub – Liquid Telecom representative
The panelists discussed related sub-topics including curriculum development and training requirements, IoT Certification and Industry Integration, Sustainability and Research, Partnerships and Industry Engagement, and Training and Research.
When asked about the training needs of IoT, Dr. Margaret Mwangi emphasized the need for training students to interpret data from automated sensors, comparing it with manual operations to ensure accuracy and embrace automation. Mr. Shardrach Korir and Mr. Jayleen Cheruyot emphasized the importance of developing IoT skills within TVET curriculums and creating short courses for technical trainers. The conversation steered to ensuring TVET students are useful to companies that require IoT skills by training them in both theory and practical skills that are in observation of requirements that are crucial to bridging the gap between education and industry needs. As the conversation progressed, two major points were established: revising the curriculum so that trainees are equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills to compete in the job market and carrying out early sensitization of IoT concepts in educational systems to facilitate easier adoption.
The workshop served as a pivotal platform for forging connections between industry leaders, policymakers, and academia by delving into opportunities and challenges, participants gained valuable insights into how educational frameworks can be better aligned with the dynamic needs of the tech industry. The discussions and strategies developed during the workshop not only highlighted the pressing need for synchronized efforts but also underscored the shared commitment to creating an ecosystem where education and industry can thrive together. Moving forward, the collaborative spirit fostered in this workshop will be instrumental in bridging existing gaps and paving the way for a more connected and forward-thinking future.
By @iLabAfrica Research and Innovation Centre, Strathmore University.
