In February, Michelle Hutt, associate dean, School of Business, IT & Management (BITM), and Katie Boone, manager, International Projects and Partnerships, Durham College (DC) International, visited Kenya as part of the college’s second mission to the country. 

The visit involved a two-week workshop series to support Sigalagala National Polytechnic (SNP) with efforts to develop competency-based programs in the fields of renewable energies and advanced solar power systems. The workshops also provided guidance to SNP delegates on organizing their first program advisory committee, incorporating industry input into curriculum design and completing a labour market information report to receive approval to commence program development based on the analysis.

Developed with the support of Joanne Paterson, professor, School of Justice & Emergency Services, Katie Boone also led workshops on gender equality and gender mainstreaming. The workshops opened up dialogue on critical issues impacting youth socio-economic development in Kenya and helped create better understanding of the cultural norms within which the partnership would flourish. The discussions paved the way for a partnership founded in mutual learning and respect.

In November 2017, DC hosted a group of 25 Kenyan post-secondary leaders from five partner institutions. In conjunction with DC’s Canadian partners, Olds College and Algonquin College, Marianne Marando, dean, BITM, and Michelle Hutt led workshops on industry engagement and strategic development of program advisory committees.

Both initiatives were part of the DC-led Kenyan Education for Employment Program, a three-and-half-year project facilitated by Colleges and Institutes Canada and funded by Global Affairs Canada that started in spring 2017.