US to donate over Sh4.2 billion to Kenya’s educational system.
The US is expected to invest up to $32 million (Sh4.2 billion) in Kenya’s education sector to foster new collaborations between the academic and business communities in the two nations.
This is an attempt to stimulate innovation, research, and employment growth in the nation’s STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)-related industries.
President William Ruto announced the money during his four-day US tour at the signing of a strategic partnership ceremony in Atlanta, USA.
The United States anticipates that the agreement reached on Tuesday will create connections, alliances, joint ventures, training initiatives, and other associations to share and promote the STEM, advanced manufacturing, and ICT capabilities of Kenyan universities.
It includes pledges from US universities to collaborate with Kenyan institutions to develop mutual competence in related fields of study, as well as commitments from Microsoft and the Mastercard Foundation to support STEM education through collaborations in higher education.
The President’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement (PAC-ADE) recommended the Edtech Africa initiative as a public-private partnership program to support STEM partnerships between historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the Open University of Kenya, Mastercard, and Microsoft. A portion of the investment, $850,000 (Sh111.5 million), will go toward supporting this program.
It also involves a new project for $6.5 million (Sh852.4 million) in the nation that attempts to place STEM graduates in positions in industries that are expanding quickly, such as information and communication technology and the production of textiles and medicines.
A new early grade literacy initiative worth $24.5 million (Sh3.2 billion) is part of the investment, which aims to provide more Kenyans with the fundamental skills required for success in higher school.
In addition to commemorating the positive and long-lasting effects of Kennedy-era assistance—known as the student airlift—to help East Africans study in the US, the US announced the “Kennedy-Mboya Partnerships” to support a new, 21st-century scholarship program focused on STEM as the field of the future. This announcement coincides with the celebration of 60 years of bilateral relations between the US and Kenya.
The initiative aims to encourage the growth and success of the upcoming generation of Kenyan scientists, researchers, and engineers with funding of $3.3 million (Sh432.7 million).
President Ruto expressed his confidence that the measure will bolster international security as well.
In line with industry standards, “such a partnership would develop curricula that equip young people with essential skills in ICT, green technologies, renewable energy installation, and sustainable construction practices,” the speaker stated.
In an attempt to address the ongoing underrepresentation of women in STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—he voiced his worry and expressed hope that the new partnership’s chances will help.
Kenya and the United States have a long-standing alliance, with the former actively assisting the latter as it positions itself as a regional innovator and trailblazer.
According to USAID, this new STEM education cooperation will equip a new generation of creative Kenyan leaders to address changing market demands and further the country’s economic progress.
The agreement was signed by Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Mudavadi and USAID Counselor Clinton White.
Throughout his four days in the US, Ruto covered a wide range of topics, including multilateral and regional issues, defense cooperation, economic prosperity, trade and investment, democracy and governance, and health collaboration.
US to donate over Sh4.2 billion to Kenya’s educational system.
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