In the past few days there has been beehive of activities in the College in anticipation for the commemoration of this important day in the calendar of the college. It is on the 22nd march 2017 that Simba Foundation would officially come into existence.
At the same occasion, the audience will witness the signing of an endowment fund with the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) that will facilitate students getting funds from HELB for their education in the College.
Left: Students and instructor putting final touches on their presentations.
Why choose Eastlands College of Technology (ECT) as the venue? You may wonder! The answer is simple; Simba Colt Corporation has been into partnership with Eastlands College of Technology and St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute for a period now spanning one year. This partnership is there to implement the Dual Training System (DTS) in automotive engineering whereby trainees will be in the training institutions not more than half the time and the other time working in the industry, during their entire training period.
The success story of this event made its way to the mainstream media houses in Kenya as can be seen on Kenya
Television Network (KTN): Click to watch. The guests started streaming in at 9 am and were seated at 10.30 am at the arena and the function kicked off with the opening prayer from the chaplain of Eastlands college of Technology, Father Crispus Kinyanjui.
Above: Mr. Austin Omeno, ECT Principal on the left and Mr. Charles Ringera signing an agreement.
The guest of honor was Mr. Harald Gunther, the Austrian ambassador to Kenya. Accompanying him was Mr. Charles Ringera, the CEO HELB, Kenya. Mr. Adil Popat, the CEO Simba Colt Corporation, Mr. Matthew Njogu, the representative of Strathmore Educational Trust, Dr. Manu Chandaria, chairperson and CEO Comcraft Group of Companies, among other guests. Mr. Njogu briefly outlined the mission and vision of Eastlands College of Technology.
The audience witnessed the signing of an agreement between Simba Foundation and HELB to fund students’ education. The document was signed by Simba Colt motors CEO Mr. Adil Popat and the HELB CEO, Mr. Ringera. Two similar agreements were signed also between Mr. Ringera and St. Kizito as well as Eastlands College of Technology. St. Kizito was represented by Father Valera whereas on ECT part, the Principal Mr. Austine Omeno did the signing.
Right: Mr. Adil Popat, left , and Charles Ringera signing the documents.
Mr. Ringera, the HELB CEO lauded the graduates from Technical education institutes for their agility in repaying back their loans and contrasted this with university graduates who take ages before they even begin. Mr. Adil Popat, the CEO Simba Corp Motors, urged students, especially the beneficiaries of the project to work hard so as to achieve their dreams and help the society from where they come. He was deeply moved by the testimony given by Ms. Lilian Mwangi, a beneficiary and student at St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute.
Ms. Lilian Mwangi who hails from Dandora slums outlined how she used to sell vehicle spare parts in order to earn a living. She had passion for motor vehicle mechanic, and once in awhile she would pop into a nearby “Jua Kali” garage in order to assist and in the she would learn something about vehicle repair.
Ms. Lilian Mwangi, one of the beneficiary of Simba Foundation during the function
The fact that local garages are mostly populated by male did not make her shy off. Then Simba Corp came calling and she would not hesitate nor think twice; she enrolled in St. Kizito vocational Training Institute in a course leading to Automotive Technology after passing an interview in ECT.
Mr. Popat said, she is among the 60 students from Eastlands College of Technology and St. Kizito Vocational Training Institute who are currently at Simba motors garages in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, working.
Mr. Harald Gunther, the guest of honor, this being his second visit in the College lauded the College administration and all the concerned stakeholders for all the wonderful progress made so far.
Austria through ICEP is among the major partners who helped to establish Eastlands College of Technology from an idea to reality in 2003. He revealed that this relationship is not intended to end anytime soon.
Left: Mr. Harald Gunther, the guest of honor, giving his speech.
Talks are in advanced stage between Eastlands College of Technology and HTL Ottakring, an Austrian institution of higher learning in technical fields to facilitate partnership. Further, Austria and Germany have a long history of Dual Training System (DTS) which is the backbone Eastlands College of Technology.
The ceremony was concluded at 1230 hours with the first director of Simba Foundation, Mrs. Immaculate Otieno giving a vote of thanks.
Mrs. Immaculate Otieno, giving a vote of thanks