By Muoki Charles
Mount Kenya University (MKU) has sent five of its nursing graduates to Germany to offer healthcare services through a partnership between the European country and the institution.
The students are the first group of graduates send to the country, through an agreement between the university and Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
Through the agreement that was entered by the institution’s some years back, the graduates joined the Germany University and were trained in German language and preparatory courses preparing them for employment in their hospitals as apprentices.
The graduates were presented with work permits, visas, and air tickets on Saturday, all fully funded by Caritas Hospital (Germany), one of the project’s partner institutions in Germany.
MKU Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Deogratious Jaganyi said the project aligns with the government’s quest to increase opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
The government has signed bilateral labour agreements with different countries to allow the country to export their skills.
“MKU in partnership with the German university, aims to establish structures and processes that will prepare 5,000 Kenyans to work in Germany in various sectors,” Prof Jaganyi said.
The VC added that students interested in the opportunities are required to have German Language proficiency and pursue a preparatory programme in Nursing apprenticeship for German hospitals.
“Kenyan Professionals based in Germany will support the beneficiaries of this project to integrate in their new environment and culture as they commence their paid apprenticeships in Germany to support the labour market. Expanding the job horizon for our people aligns very well with our motto of unlocking infinite possibilities,” said Prof Jaganyi.
He said the university has a similar partnership with Lebenshilfe Tirol of Austria that also enables nursing graduates from the Kenyan university to work in Austria.
“MKU expects to initially have 60 nursing graduates to travel to Austria. Graduates are required to have German language B1 Level, “he said.
