Machakos University Shaping the Future of Skills Training – The Luban Way

Machakos University continues to make remarkable strides on the global stage through its active participation in the ongoing China –Africa seminar focused on the management of Luban Workshops, currently taking place at Ningbo Polytechnic in China, Themed “Harmony in Diversity.” Representing Machakos University with distinction are Dr. Eric Omuya, Chair of the Department of Computing and Information Technology, and Mr. Humphrey Mwambaji, a key technician at the University’s Luban Workshop.

This impactful seminar brings together 30 professionals from across Africa including Kenya, Seychelles, Ethiopia, and other Indian Ocean nations. The event is funded by China AID, and aims to enhance the planning, execution, and sustainability of the Luban Workshops across Africa, with Machakos University leading the initiative in Kenya.

The program covers essential aspects of institutional and vocational development which include:

• The origin and philosophy of Luban Workshops
• Strategic industry and institutional visits for benchmarking practices
• Insights into Chinese modernization and Culture as a tool for comparative learning
• Effective management models for achieving vocational excellence

Participants had the opportunity to visit Haitan University, a renowned center for vocational training, and Haitan Manufacturing Company, a leader in automotive components. The team also explored Ningbo Village to gain a deeper understanding of China’s rural-urban development strategies.

The knowledge, networks, and insights gained from this international engagement will significantly enhance the operations of Machakos University’s Luban Workshop, raising the standards of vocational training not just within the University, but across Kenya.

Dr. Omuya and Mr. Mwambaji’s involvement demonstrates Machakos University’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant education, as the university aspires to become a center of excellence in applied sciences and technology, and as it continues to champion international collaborations to ensure its students and faculty are globally competitive and locally impactful.