Wednesday, 21st December 2022 was a historic day for the Association of Technical Universities and Polytechnics in Africa (ATUPA), and the TVET fraternity in Africa in
general. On the occasion of the eleventh Graduation ceremony of the Technical University of Kenya, the ATUPA Secretary General, Madam Jahou Samba Faal was conferred upon the degree of Doctor of Technology (Honoris causa).
This honour is in recognition of Madam Faal’s incredible and impeccable contributions to the development of TVET in Africa. Apart from her stewardship of the continental TVET organisation, Madam Faal was acclaimed for her sterling performance and contributions as Director-General of the Gambia Technical Training Institute (GTTI) in her native country, The Gambia, having risen through the ranks from the position of Lecturer.
At the congregation, Madam Faal was credited with record-breaking achievements as holder of positions few women, if any, had held in The Gambia. It was also noted that she used her vast experience in women leadership to reinvigorate the Women in Technical Education (WITED) programme in Africa, as evidenced by her mentorship
of the WITED Kenya Chapter. The degree of Doctor of Technology (Honoris causa) was conferred by the Technical University of Kenya Pro-Chancellor and Acting Chancellor, Dr. Idle O. Farah. On hand to witness this momentous occasion were the Principal Secretary, State Department of TVET at the Ministry of Education; the
Technical University of Kenya Council members; Vice-Chancellor Professor Francis W. O. Aduol; the Vice-Chancellor of the Technical University of Mombasa and Chairperson of the ATUPA Executive Board, Professor Laila Abubakar and Executive Board members Mrs. Glory Mutungi and Mr. C. T. Akumu-Owuor, who is also the
Director of TVET at the Technical University of Kenya, among other distinguished guests.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Faal did not disappoint: She vowed that this award was but the fuel that would power her resolve to champion TVET advocacy in Africa, and that with the support of the Technical University of Kenya, ATUPA and her partners would realise the full potential of TVET in Africa, and its plethora of
benefits would trickle down to the young and growing African population.
In paying tribute to the men and women who are the epitome of TVET excellence in Africa, Dr. Faal evoked an emotional moment for the CAPA/ATUPA stakeholders, when she paid special homage to the immediate former Secretary General, the late Dr. Olubunmi Owoso (may his gentle soul rest in peace), who set the stage for her
leadership at ATUPA.
The convocation also saw the conferment of the degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris causa) upon Professor Washington Yotto Ochieng, the conferment of various degrees of Doctor of Philosophy, Masters and undergraduate, and the award of various diplomas and certificates of the Technical University of Kenya.