Ruto urges universities to align courses with industry demands

President William Ruto has urged Kenyan universities to adjust their academic programs to meet the changing demands of the job market and society at large. During the award ceremony for International Leadership University (ILU), the President emphasized that education should not merely award certificates, but rather build capability and enable graduates to create opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.

He stressed that while knowledge and expertise are important, their true value lies in their application.

The President highlighted the urgent need for educational institutions to adapt to the rapid changes in the global economy brought about by artificial intelligence, automation, and digital technologies. According to a World Economic Forum report, 39% of workers' skills are expected to become outdated by 2030. To prepare students for this evolving landscape, President Ruto called for a shift away from rote learning and examinations, and towards fostering critical thinking, creativity, practical competence, and innovation.

Kenya's goal is to establish a knowledge-driven, globally competitive economy supported by a modern services sector, which can export technology, financial services, professional expertise, and innovation. To achieve this, the President stressed the importance of equipping graduates with relevant digital skills, such as computer literacy, internet access, data analysis, and the application of artificial intelligence.

In order to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and workplace competence, President Ruto emphasized the necessity of strengthening the connection between universities and industry through practical training, internships, and structured partnerships. The Government is actively working towards expanding the National Internship Programme to accommodate 50,000 students from January 2027.

To encourage private-sector employers to offer internships, incentives will be introduced, including having their stipends deducted from taxes.

During the same event, the President announced that within 24 hours of the Government's announcement of the 50,000 paid internship opportunities, 150,000 young people had already applied. Additionally, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises State Department has launched a training programme for 600,000 young people, with the potential to reach one million, to help them access business opportunities in the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities. As of 24 hours after the announcement, 200,000 applications had been received.

The President underscored the importance of equity in education and economic opportunity, stating that fairness must inform Government policy and resource allocation. He highlighted the 49% increase in funding for the education sector in the 2026/27 financial year, which rose from KSh527 billion in 2022/23 to KSh784.5 billion. The President also praised the introduction of a student-centred university funding model, which allocates scholarships and loans based on students' financial needs.