JKUAT, Car & General Partner to Equip Students with Industry Skills
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Car & General have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and enhance opportunities for students to acquire practical skills and industry exposure as part of efforts to prepare them for the workplace. The partnership, officially signed on September 10, 2026, and implemented through the…
Mr. Sangoro (right) and Dr Gathungu append their signatures. Witnessing the process are Gilbert (left) Tabitha (center) and Vincent
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Car & General have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and enhance opportunities for students to acquire practical skills and industry exposure as part of efforts to prepare them for the workplace.
The partnership, officially signed on September 10, 2026, and implemented through the Car & Gen, its Leadership Academy and Cummins C&G, provides a framework for the two institutions to collaborate in training, professional development, mentorship and other initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between university education and industry requirements.
The agreement will facilitate closer engagement between JKUAT students and industry professionals, exposing them to practical knowledge and workplace experiences that complement their academic training.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, during the signing ceremony, Dr. Duncan Gathungu from the Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics (PAM), expressed gratitude to Car & General for providing opportunities for JKUAT students to gain industry exposure and practical experience.
Dr. Gathungu said the collaboration was an important step towards strengthening the university’s efforts to produce graduates who are well equipped to meet the expectations of the industry.
He noted that the university was pleased with the progress of its partnership with Car & General and expressed its readiness to expand the collaboration into other areas that would benefit students and have mutual benefits for both institutions.
“We are grateful to Car & General for giving our students this opportunity and for supporting the university in its efforts to provide industry-ready graduates. We are happy with the progress of this partnership and are open to expanding the collaboration further,” Dr. Gathungu said.
He said the university was particularly interested in introducing career talks and mentorship programmes as part of the expanded partnership, providing students with opportunities to interact directly with industry professionals and gain insights into career development, workplace expectations and professional growth.
Dr. Gathungu added that stronger university-industry linkages were essential in ensuring that students are exposed to practical applications of the knowledge acquired in class before they graduate.
Erick Sangoro, Managing Director, Cummins C&G, said the CarGen Academy was institutionalized as part of the company’s commitment to building capacity and developing partnerships that promote continuous learning and professional development.
Sangoro said the partnership with JKUAT presented an opportunity for the academy to engage with the university’s students and tap into the knowledge, creativity and emerging ideas generated within the institution while also testing innovations in the industry
He described JKUAT as an important pipeline for new ideas and innovation, noting that universities provide an important platform for industry to identify emerging talent and engage with new approaches to solving contemporary challenges.
Sangoro said the partnership would create value beyond student training by providing an avenue through which industry and academia could exchange knowledge, identify opportunities for innovation and nurture talent.
He noted that the rapidly changing nature of the workplace, driven by technological advancement and emerging skills requirements, made partnerships between industry and universities increasingly important.
Through the CarGen Academy, Car & General has created a platform focused on capacity building, professional development, mentorship and knowledge exchange, with the company seeking to strengthen the competencies of both current and future professionals.
Sangoro said collaboration with institutions such as JKUAT would enable the company to contribute to the development of talent while also gaining exposure to new ideas and perspectives emerging from the academic environment.
The two institutions are expected to continue exploring additional areas of mutual interest as they seek to equip students with the knowledge, skills and professional competencies required to contribute effectively to industry and national development.
Also present during the signing ceremony were Vincent Mwai and Tabitha K. Gideon, both from PAM; Gilbert Mutai, Chief Information Officer; Raphael Atanda, Head of Communications; and Juliana Sababu, all from Car and General.
JKUAT staff interact with Car and General products