April 24, 2023
by Amazon Web Service (AWS) and the Information Communication Technology (ICT) Authority have partnered to provide cloud computing education to 10,000 students in Kenya. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing students with skills required for in-demand jobs. The program will commence in June, and students can enroll in a curriculum designed to help them pursue industry-recognized certifications.
The announcement was made at Connected Kenya 2023, where Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of ICT Authority, highlighted the importance of promoting ICT literacy, innovation, and enterprise. The ten-year ICT Digital Masterplan 2022-2032 identified a gap between the industry’s needs and the curriculum taught in universities and colleges. The AWS Academy program is designed to address this gap and equip students with practical cloud skills.
AWS Regional Public Sector Lead for West, East, and Central Africa, Robin Njiru, said that the company is committed to empowering individuals along different professional journeys to upskill, reskill, and prepare for high-quality jobs. The initiative will provide educators at universities with the latest cloud innovation so that they can equip students with the skills needed to get hired in one of the fastest-growing industries.
AWS has partnered with Computer Learning Centre (CLC), an AWS Training Partner in East, West, and South Africa, to deliver foundational and associate-level training to educators. The training will enable them to deliver AWS Academy to ten public universities across Kenya.
Upon completion of the AWS program, students will be ready to work in entry-level tech roles. AWS is working with several organizations, including Gebeya, a Pan-African start-up, to connect students with employment opportunities. Gebeya hosts a custom platform on AWS that is accessible online to all citizens who want to pursue technology career paths and find jobs
