Professional ICT certifications, hands-on training and international competitions are opening new opportunities for Kabarak University students through its partnership with Huawei Kenya. Following a courtesy visit by a Huawei delegation on 7 October 2026, the two institutions are looking to strengthen their collaboration, with renewed focus on industry-relevant digital skills, student mentorship and professional development.

Speaking during the meeting, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Henry K. Kiplangat expressed appreciation for the partnership, established in 2019, which has created opportunities for students and academic staff to gain practical experience and industry-recognised qualifications. The collaboration has also enabled students to take up leadership roles through the Huawei Campus Ambassador programme and participate in regional and international ICT competitions.

The partnership has recorded notable achievements among Kabarak University students and staff, demonstrating the value of connecting academic training with industry experience.

• National competition recognition: Cornelius Ngetich Kimaiyo emerged as a top national prize winner in the Huawei Network/Cloud Track during the 2019–2020 competition period.
• ICT competition awards: Gideon Kiprono Ngetich and Bronch Mukami earned awards for their performances in the Huawei ICT Competition 2023–2024.
• Faculty capacity building: Dr. Maurice Ojijo and Mr. Johana Keter received Huawei facilitator training in 2022, strengthening the University's capacity to support industry-aligned ICT learning.
• Institutional representation: Prof. Simon Karume, Director of the Kabarak University Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Centre, serves on the Huawei ICT Management Board.

These achievements reflect the range of opportunities available through the collaboration, from professional training and competition experience to staff development and institutional engagement with the technology industry.

Renewed Focus on the Huawei ICT Academy

A key priority of the visit was revitalising the Kabarak University Huawei ICT Academy and increasing student awareness of, and participation in, its training programmes.

Prof. Kiplangat encouraged the School of Science, Engineering and Technology (SSET) to explore ways of integrating Huawei learning pathways and professional certifications into academic programmes. This would give students greater access to specialised technical training alongside their university studies, helping them develop skills relevant to the demands of the digital economy.

The renewed focus on the Academy is also expected to strengthen student engagement with emerging technologies and provide more opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to practical challenges.

Expanding Training, Mentorship and Competition Opportunities

Looking ahead, Kabarak University and Huawei Kenya plan to explore additional areas of collaboration, including student mentorship, practical ICT boot camps, faculty capacity building and greater participation in national and international competitions.

These initiatives would build on the existing partnership while expanding opportunities for students and academic staff to engage with industry experts, develop technical competencies and gain exposure to current technologies.

Closer collaboration between the University and Huawei also offers opportunities to align academic learning with industry expectations, particularly in areas where professional certifications and practical experience can complement university qualifications.

Preparing Graduates for Kenya’s Digital Future

As digital technologies continue to reshape industries and workplaces, graduates need more than theoretical knowledge. Practical experience, specialised technical skills and exposure to industry standards can help them navigate an increasingly competitive employment market.

Through its partnership with Huawei Kenya, Kabarak University is working to broaden access to these opportunities while strengthening ICT training, faculty expertise and student participation in technology competitions.

The revitalisation of the Huawei ICT Academy marks an important area of focus as the two institutions seek to build on their collaboration and prepare more students to contribute to Kenya’s growing digital economy.