Handover Ceremony of the Automotive Course Facility to Kabwe Institute of Technology
2016/9/16
On 15th September 2016, H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, handed over the Automotive Course Facility to Kabwe Institute of Technology. This project was implemented through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project with the grant amounting to 90,558 US Dollars. Dignitaries present at this event included H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma, Mr. Owen Mugemezulu, Permanent Secretary - Ministry of Higher Education, Mr. Titus Ikowa, Board Chairperson - Kabwe Institute of Technology and Mrs. Rhoda K. Simwanga, Principal – Kabwe Institute of Technology.
Kabwe Institute of Technology has stunning history since its establishment in 1943. The school has provided varieties of skills training for youths in three departments; mechanical, construction, and commercial. The automotive course under the mechanical department has over 250 students. This course is very popular since students can learn skills for automotive mechanics and machinery maintenance.
Since the 1980’s, the Government of Japan has supported the organization through dispatching JICA engineers and providing training equipment. Now, a JICA volunteer is serving to improve the quality of training.
However, there are still some challenges. For example, the institution does not have enough space for lectures or most training equipment is old and outdated. The Government of Japan has supported this project to enhance skills of the students through upgrading the training environment. It will accommodate the increasing demand for competent automotive mechanics in this country.
The project provided a classroom block, an office block, furniture, and equipment. Quality training at the school enables students to seek more employment opportunities and accommodates the increasing demand for competent automotive mechanics in the country.
The Government of Japan is fully aware of the importance to provide skills training for youths which furnishes them with more employment opportunities. Therefore, the Government of Japan will take continuous and multidimensional methods for youth empowerment.
To read the speech made by H.E. Mr. Kiyoshi Koinuma, Ambassador of Japan to Zambia at this ceremony, please click here.