The Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) on 10^th April 2026 hosted a delegation from Shimizu Corporation of Japan during a courtesy visit. The visit aimed to strengthen ongoing discussions on a Labour Mobility Partnership between Kenyan universities and the Japanese construction giant.  The visit follows a consultative meeting held at the State Department involving Shimizu Corporation and Kenyan universities. Preparations for the partnership are at an advanced stage and are expected to culminate in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in June 2026.

This initiative aligns with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) of creating opportunities for skilled and talented Kenyans.

The Shimizu team was led by Mr. Kenzo Matsumoto, Human Resources Group Leader alongside Mr. Kazuki Yamada and Ms. Maureen Njeri both from Human Resources. They were received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Technology Development, Prof. Orina, accompanied by Dr. Judith Waswa, Director of Community Outreach, Linkages and Partnerships (COLAP), Dr. Fredrick Mutua representing the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), and other university officials.

Welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Orina reaffirmed TU-K’s commitment to strategic partnerships that enhance the development of technical skills and support Kenya’s agenda for industrialization. He noted that TU-K, with its strong focus on engineering, applied sciences, and technology, is well-positioned to collaborate with global industry leaders in training highly skilled human resources.

Shimizu Corporation, one of Japan’s leading construction firms with over 200 years of experience, specializes in architecture and civil engineering projects ranging from infrastructure development to building design and maintenance. With a growing presence in Africa and a regional hub in Nairobi, the company expressed its commitment to contributing to sustainable development on the continent.

Central to the discussions was the proposed Shimizu Academy, a flagship human resource development program targeting young engineering graduates. The initiative aims to equip students with world-class technical and professional skills through a structured international training pathway.

Under the program, selected graduates in architecture and civil engineering will undergo one year of intensive Japanese language training in Kenya. Upon successful completion, the graduates will be offered employment with Shimizu Corporation and travel to Japan for hands-on training in construction site management across various projects. The program is designed to produce globally competitive engineers equipped to contribute to both local and international construction environments.

Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Kenzo Matsumoto emphasized that the initiative goes beyond infrastructure development, focusing instead on empowering people through knowledge and skills transfer. He highlighted that the program would offer TU-K graduates a unique opportunity to gain international exposure, guaranteed career pathways, and practical experience in advanced construction environments.

The partnership is expected to benefit the university by strengthening industry linkages, enhancing curriculum relevance, and providing students with direct access to global career opportunities. Upon completion of their training, graduates are expected to return and contribute to Kenya’s infrastructure development, while others may pursue careers within Shimizu’s global network.

Dr. Judith Waswa reiterated the university’s readiness to formalize and implement the partnership, noting that the proposed academy aligns with TU-K’s mandate of producing highly skilled technical professionals. Dr. Fredrick Mutua underscored the university’s capacity to support the initiative, citing its strong engineering programs, specialized departments, and emphasis on practical, skills-based training.

The university leadership expressed optimism that the collaboration would open doors for further partnerships beyond the academy, including research, innovation, and broader capacity-building initiatives.

As preparations for the MoU signing continue, both TU-K and Shimizu Corporation affirmed their shared vision of nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and contributing to sustainable development through strategic international collaboration.