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Developing Distinct
Professionals
By FRED NDUNG'U
Though EITRS retained most of
Technology and Research Premese academic programmes, it
Studies (EITRS) has a passion added technology including ICT related
and determination to reach programmes and Diploma in Business
the apex of professional training. This Information Technology (DBIT]. The
is clearly evident from the institute's institutes trainers/lecturers carry
logo that shows a flame of light held to thorough academic research on what to
illuminate an open book. The flame also deliver to students in all programmes.
denotes a new dawn of professional and This ensures that students get the
career growth in the life of graduates. right and latest content in their area of
Guided by a vision to become a training. To enable students develop
globally competitive academic centre research knowledge and skills, they
for technological, business and social take a mandatory social research
development training, the institute's methods unit. The exposure to research
history is closely intertwined with methodologies enables students to carry
that of Premese Africa Development
out a research project paper which
Institute that has been in existence for
they defend before they are cleared for
over 20 years. However, EITRS was
graduation.
The Eastern Institute of
essentially founded in 2014 following
the re­branding of the Premese Africa
City Campus Branch.
As a professional and ethical institution
of higher learning guided by the
Christian doctrines of truthfulness and
integrity, the institute seeks to produce
distinct and competent graduates and
professionals who are adequately
prepared to fill in and offer skilled
manpower in the various sectors of
Kenya's dynamic economy. The institute
is registored by the Ministry of Higher
Education, Science & Technology and
recognized by local and international
accrediting and examination bodies that
offer globally recognized certification.
In addition, the institute is committed
to modeling trainees of good moral
standing, character, integrity and
intellectual prowess.
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The research skills acquired will prepare
students to be able to conduct research
in various fields whose findings can go
a long way in addressing some of the
social­cultural and economic challenges
the country face. "It will be possible
The institute
seeks to
produce distinct
and competent
graduates and
professionals
who are
adequately
prepared to fill in
and offer skilled
manpower in
the various
sectors of
Kenya's dynamic
economy
to achieve this with the proposed Currently with a student population
establishment of a research resource
of 150 drawn from all over East Africa
centre." says Charles M. Kitua EITRS including South Sudan, Rwanda and
Manager.
Somalia, the institute is keen to host
With Developing Distinct Professionals its first graduation independent of
as its motto, the institute aims to produce Premese affiliation in 2016. It also
welcomes the on­going re­evaluation
self­reliant graduates who are well
of all tertiary technical institutions
grounded to provide service to humanity through the Technical & Vocational
for 'service to humanity is serving God.' Education Training Authority (TVETA)
In addition, they are a well trained in Act 2013. "We believe that this move
human capital readily equipped to propel will streamline the sector/industry and
the country to middle­income status in ensure that only institutions that offer
tandem with the country's Vision 2030. quality training are left to operate,"
observes Kitua,
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He however regrets that universities in
the country have infiltrated the market
segment for colleges. According to him,
the primary mandate of universities
should not be teaching certificates and
diploma students. By law this should be
the preserve ft_T middle level colleges.
"Universities should focus their
Motivational speakers are regularly
invited to talk to students on life skills.
This is an effort to model students
holistically­ "We have in place well
programmed students and staff code of
conduct that guides the institutes family
on how to relate with one another
professionally and harmoniously,"
resources in training undergraduate and says Kitua. Besides, the institute's
post graduate programmes," he states.
board of directors regularly meets
with the advisory council for strategic
This is not the case. In fact, the largest
consultations pertaining to enhancement
constituency of population in some
and maintenance of quality in training,
universities is certificate and diploma
evaluation of the degree of compliance
students, something that has resulted
in unfair competition. He appeals to the to various regulatory frameworks of the
government to formulate regulations industry among other strategic issues
thai shall make universities concentrate
that affect the institution.
in research and development initiatives
and be left to offer under and post
graduate degree programmes leaving
the tertiary technical institutions and
colleges to specialize in certificate,
diploma and higher diploma courses.
That way, KCSE graduates who fail to
attain the minimum university entry
points will have an opportunity of
progressively pursuing their technical
The institution's management does
& vocational courses even from craft
certificate level all through to the
university.
EITRS welcomes healthy competition
which prompts the management to
endeavor to observe and maintain
high quality training standards at all
times. The wide range of courses from
certificate to higher diploma enables
prospecting students to choose a course
of their choice. The institute supports
the students as much as possible
and apart from lectures delivered to
students, they are provided with well
researched and prepared study manuals
for every subject. It also has wall stocked
and equipped library and computer
laboratory.
everything possible to help the lecturers
in delivering their best and even in
advancing their professional growth/
development. For instance, despite
being in administration, Kitua, with
over eight years experience in teaching
and fifteen in administrative duties
also teaches business courses. He is
currently pursuing a Master in Business
Administration degree at the Kenya
Methodist University. With over 100
students who have already graduated
and joined different universities for
bachelorsprogrammes, EITRS continues
to enhance quality in training.
Like any other business venture, this
sector is faced with numerous challenges
among them finances, competition
and sometimes untrustworthy team
members. "We are investors akin to
other private investors and therefore
we also need government support,"
states Kitua. In particular, the Higher
Education Loans Hoard should consider
giving educational loans to needy and
deserving students in colleges.
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The government should also consider Kitua appreciates enactment of the
assisting private tertiary institutions in TVETA Act, 2013 because it's a shield for
putting up the infrastructure necessary bona fide institutions and helps to root
to make them centers of academic and out quacks, "We are obeying a call to be
professional excellence. The government in this business and help our students as
can do that through provision of loans much as we can. Some of our brilliant
even if it means the government acting as
guarantor to financial lenders on behalf of
the tertiary institutions. This is because
these institutions are bridging the gap in
supplementing the government role in
providing technical training to its citizens.
This will help them attain the standards
and benchmarks of training as set out in
and deserving yet needy students clear
their fees many months after graduating,"
he explains, adding that EITRS strongly
believes in its philosophy of producing
distinct professionals who fear not man
but God.
the TVETA Act 2013.
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Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya
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Date: 29.03.2015
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Ipsos Kenya ­ Acorn House,97 James Gichuru Road ­ Lavington ­ Nairobi ­ Kenya