The Technical University of Kenya Vision resonates with the German Model of University of Applied Sciences (UAS)

Introduction

The German Model of Universities of Applied Sciences is very fascinating especially how these Universities are able to closely collaborate with industry and train hands-on skills. This results with graduates being absorbed into the industry even before graduation. In the course of the workshops attended in 2018, the following thematic topics were covered:

  1. Applied Teaching and Learning
  2. Applied Research
  3. Knowledge and Technology Transfer

In each of these thematic areas, several concepts and Ideas were presented that can be incorporated into our university’s modus operandi.

Relevance to TU-K

With the slogan “Education and Training for the Real World”, the ideals and concepts of the University of Applied Sciences model resonate very well with the Technical University of Kenya’s vision, mission and philosophy. As TU-K aspires to be a center of excellence in training by imparting skills that are appropriate to the real world of work, thereby producing holistic graduates with the flexibility to fit into the demands of a constantly changing world, the following aspects from UAS model are going to benefit and steer achievement of the vision

Specific items to be adopted in TU-K’s applied Teaching and Learning

  • Curriculum conceptualization, design and implementation with the industry and matching the workplace skills and competencies
  • Involvement of industry in the curriculum delivery / execution by way of having conceptual seminars and thesis topics that solve real problems in the industry
  • Student internships that are intentional as to the objectives to be achieved by the students as relates to: soft skills to be gained, practical competences to be learnt, desired sectorial/industry understanding by the students before they graduate
  • Continuous development of pedagogical and didactical competences of lecturers and professors