Thika, Kenya—Mount Kenya University is expanding its global footprint through a growing apprenticeship partnership that will see twelve more nursing students deployed to German hospitals this week, bringing the total number of MKU students in the European program to 25. The collaboration—anchored at Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences—is more than a training opportunity; it reflects a strategic move by Kenyan institutions to expose students to global healthcare systems while deepening the country’s human capital through international experience.
According to Vice Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, the apprenticeships are equipping Kenyan students with real-world medical competencies in dynamic healthcare environments. With an additional 35 students lined up for future cohorts, the program is also being scaled to include radiology technologists. This pipeline is bolstered by German language proficiency support, with lecturers seconded through the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and new AI-enabled training platforms to fast-track linguistic readiness. While the apprenticeship offers undeniable value, it also highlights a reality: Kenya must continue investing in local capacity so that young professionals return not just with skills, but with pathways to transform healthcare at home.
![Public Service Commission (PSC) Vice-Chairperson Mary Wanjira Kimonye (right) receives a trophy gift from the Institute of Human Resources Management [IHRM] during the 6th Women in HR Convention which is in Naivasha. Photo by Shikuku/ Immaculate Kariuki](https://coatmediaafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC_3896-120x86.jpg)
Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Mercyline Kamande emphasized the program’s broader ambition—to create a bridge between Kenyan expertise and global demand, while reimagining what career mobility means for Africa’s youth. As the world grows more interconnected, Kenyan students are no longer waiting to be invited into global spaces—they are stepping in as contributors. The challenge now is ensuring that these global exposures translate into systems change back home, not just brain drain.
