County partners with Germany-based university

By ERIC LUNGAI

Vihiga County: The Vihiga county government has partnered with Germany’s Wildau University to establish engineering programmes and training at the Kaimosi University College, once the institution is established.

This will eventually see the university offer aeronautical engineering courses in a bid to offer practical courses that bridge the gap between theory and practice.

The partnership will also help the institution access funds for training and exchange programmes.

Speaking to the press yesterday in his office about the three-week Germany tour, Governor Moses Akaranga said his government is dedicated to investing more in education to produce highly skilled manpower that will spur economic growth and social development as a means of empowering the people.

“The university has also agreed to grant Vihiga County five scholarships to students to pursue engineering-related courses. Similarly, the Germany for Africa Group will help the county construct and equip vocational training institutions,” said Akaranga.

The governor also revealed that they had partnered with Germany Energy Company to provide affordable solar panels for the people under the banner ‘Light Vihiga Project’.

“We want to provide affordable solar panels to people in Vihiga with an initial target of 10,000 households in the financial year 2013/2014, targeting 400 households in every ward,” he said.

He said the programme will be designed to run for five years, as they train people in maintaining the project. 

He noted that many people in the county do not have access to electricity and use kerosene lamps instead.

“Many people are not yet able to use electricity because of the high cost of acquiring it. So we want to invest in solar energy, which is cheaper to buy and maintain,” he said.