By: Dr. Michael Derrick Odhiambo

The Technical University of Mombasa (TUM), through the TVET Institute, recently sent a delegation of six students to participate in the East Africa Skills Competition 2025, held in Ntinda, Uganda, on 1st and 2nd of October. 

This year’s event, themed “A Future Connected by Skills: A Platform for Challenge and Innovation,” gathered students from various institutions across East Africa (Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania) and Mozambique to showcase their technical and vocational skills. The TUM team excelled, earning bronze medals and a Merit Award for their impressive performance.

The delegation comprised six students, with two representatives each from Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering. They were accompanied by the director of TVET-I, who provided valuable mentorship and guidance throughout the competition and attended a leaders' seminar. 

The two-day event featured parallel activities on the first day, including a seminar for heads of TVET Institutes focused on “Sustainable TVET in East Africa: Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives,” aimed at sharing successes and lessons learned for future programs. Competitors also participated in an orientation session to become familiar with the tools, equipment, materials, and competition rules.

On the second day, the actual competition took place, culminating in an award ceremony. 

The event was attended by dignitaries from the East African region, including the Director of Higher Education from Uganda's Ministry of Education and Sports, the Ambassador of South Korea to Uganda, and representatives from the participating countries.

The students’ achievements at the East Africa Skills Competition exemplify TUM’s commitment to talent development and technical excellence, contributing positively to the regional skills development agenda.