A labour migration programme initiated by Mount Kenya University and Germany's Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences has been lauded as a model project

Through the programme healthcare professionals, who have also been trained on the German language, are taken to Germany where they are absorbed in the country's healthcare sector.

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has partnered with Germany’s Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences in a labour migration programme that has been lauded as a model project in facilitating the export of labour to the European country.

Through the programme, healthcare professionals, who have also been trained on the German language, are taken to Germany where they are absorbed in the country’s healthcare sector.

The programme has already seen two cohorts of the apprentices leave Kenya for Germany, where they have already settled in their jobs.

A third cohort left Kenya two weeks ago and is currently undergoing orientation in Germany. MKU has also onboarded the fourth cohort.

Alexander Fierley, Germany’s Deputy Ambassador to Kenya, lauded the programme and noted that it offers lessons for Kenya and Germany as they start implementing the Labour Migration Agreement the two countries signed.

“We have signed the labour migration agreement last September and we are now looking for patterns and examples on how labour migration to Germany can work efficiently,” said Fierley.

Other partners in the project are DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), AG-Career Hub (Germany) and Caritas Hospital in Bad Mergentheim & Tauberbischofsheim.

The university has a similar partnership with Lebenshilfe Tirol of Austria.

MKU expects to initially have 60 nursing graduates to travel to Austria. Graduates are required to have German language B1 Level.

“The impact of the project has been such that even our neighbours in Austria are also looking for collaboration with MKU, which is great because together we are stronger and it also helps you as well,” said Fierley.

“I would like to encourage you to continue with your efforts. From what I have heard, there is a good knowledge of the language.”

MKU said it is looking to expand the programme, which, in addition to German language, has largely been based on nursing, to include other courses such as Medical Technologist in Radiology.

This, MKU said, would further broaden the scope of career opportunities available to students.

“MKU remains dedicated to expanding global learning opportunities for students,” said Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, Vice Chancellor MKU.

Fierley was accompanied by Ms. Kerstin Pfirrmann- culture attache at the German embassy and Dr Dorothee Weyler, director DAAD.Dr Weyler lauded the project and added that DAAD would offer expertise in German language training.

Dr Christopher Lebrenz of Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences said the partners in the project had over the implementation period been able to smoothen the processes.

“We are glad to increase the number of students going to Germany and we hope that by preparing them well in their country of origin, Kenya, we help them better integrate in German society,” he said.