Chinese enterprise, Kenyan universities partner to boost youth tech skills

NAIROBI, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- China Mobile International Limited (CMI) jointly organized a digital transformation workshop and an innovation competition with two Kenyan universities on Monday to cultivate young innovators and enhance digital skills among the country's youth.

John Tanui, principal secretary in the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, said the collaboration seeks to nurture young innovators, connect key stakeholders and foster technological growth.

Tanui said CMI would give Kenyan youth opportunities to commercialize their ideas in the information technology sector. He added that the competition would also strengthen ties between industry and academia, ensuring that university graduates are equipped with the skills today's job market demands.

Terry Leung, regional managing director for Africa at CMI, said that CMI is eager to partner with the University of Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology to deepen China-Africa digital innovation exchanges and unlock the creative potential of Kenyan university students.

The four-month innovation challenge will run from late October to February next year, he added.

The two participating universities are expected to field 10 teams, comprising approximately 60 to 80 participants in total. The top three teams will receive first-, second-, and third-place awards in recognition of their innovative solutions.