Guests cut the ribbon for Kenya Luban Workshop during a ceremony at Machakos University in Machakos, Kenya, Dec. 14, 2019. A Luban workshop, hosted by the Machakos University in eastern Kenya, was launched on Saturday.? (Photo by Ronald Njoroge/Xinhua)

MACHAKOS, Kenya, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- A Luban workshop, hosted by the Machakos University in eastern Kenya, was launched on Saturday.

Joseph Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary of Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) said that the facility established with the support of Tianjin City Vocational College will help enhance cooperation in the digital space.

"Cloud computing and information security which is at the core of the Luban workshop is critical and important for us as a country," Mucheru said.

In September 2018, China announced that 10 Luban workshops would be established in Africa to provide vocational skills training for African youth.

Lucy Irungu, vice-chancellor of Machakos University said that the opening of the Luban workshop is a historic event, adding that it has been a long journey of building a mutual partnership and use of resources that culminated in the signing of Letter of Intent on October.

"The two institutions, Machakos University and Tianjin City Vocational College have come together for a common goal: offer quality educational and learning experiences necessary for the 21st century and beyond. Given that ICT is now the backbone of any development agenda, the construction of Luban Workshop here at Machakos University is quite timely and there would have been no better time than now," Irungu said.

She noted that through the Luban workshop, Kenya will have a chance to experience world-class cloud computing courses that will shape both thought and practice in the world of ICT.

"The workshop will further expedite interaction through world-class video conferencing facilities as well as stimulate original research in the field of ICT and related human engagement. We have with us today, a chance to make solid contributions to the wellbeing of mankind," she observed.

Zhao Xiyuan, minister-counselor of the Chinese embassy in Kenya, said the initiative aims at providing high-end professional and technical skills training to help college students meet requirements of the emerging global market, as demonstrated by the successful stories in Asia, Europe and Africa.

"It is the fruit of the partnership between Tianjin City Vocational College and Machakos University, and with close collaboration with Huawei," Zhao said.

"I sincerely hope the Luban Workshop at Machakos University can become a successful model of cooperation between these two countries' schools and enterprises," said the Chinese diplomat.

"I sincerely hope it will be helpful for Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) to serve the local economic and social development, thus making positive contributions to the development of TVET in Kenya," Zhao said.

The first Luban Workshop in Africa was launched in Djibouti in March.