South Korea To Build USD 100 Mn Worth University In Kenya
South Korea to pump USD 100 Mn in the construction of a University following a memorandum of understanding with the Kenyan government.
The graduate university to be named “Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology” (KAIST) will be located on a 22-acre plot at Konza Technopolis in Machakos.
The project that will soon be a reality was born after the Kenyan government signed a USD 94.6 Mn loan with the Korean Exim Bank back in 2017. The credit will be used to fund the construction of the university.
The institution that will be a graduates-only information technology centre is a replica of the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Korea Kaist).
A report by Nation.co.ke reveals that the intent to construct the state-of-the-art facility is built on the fact that many students in Kenya travel abroad to further their studies only to find jobs and opt to settle there.
Speaking while delivering a public lecture in the University of Nairobi recently, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology global president Sung-Chul Shin revealed that students would be capacitated with the required knowledge to solve technology-based solutions locally.
Sung-Chul further divulged that Kenya Kaist would be an action-oriented study centre for industry scientific research that will employ the use of technology to improve society.
Reuben Mutiso, Chairman Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) disclosed that preparation for architectural designs of the institution and curriculum development had been commissioned.
“Kenya is spending USD 400 Mn to make Konza investor-ready as requested by global tech companies which plan to put up campuses to host research labs and manufacturing units,” he said.
The success of the project will have a positive impact on Kenya achieving its vision 2030 goal. The goal stipulates that the education sector is expected to provide globally competitive quality education, training and research for sustainable development, which will position Kenya as a regional centre of research and development in new technologies.
Featured Image Courtesy: Kaist.ac.kr
