Mount Kenya University (MKU), in partnership with Germany, has sent five of its nursing graduates to the European Country to offer healthcare services.

The students are the first cohort of graduates sent to Germany through an agreement between the university and Hochschule Koblenz University of Applied Sciences in Germany.

Through the agreement entered by the institution some years back, the graduates joined the German university and were trained in German language and preparatory courses, preparing them for employment as apprentices in their hospitals.

The graduates were presented with work permits, visas, and air tickets on Saturday, all fully funded by Caritas Hospital (Germany), one of the project’s partner institutions in Germany.

MKU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Deogratious Jaganyi said the project aligns with the government’s quest to increase opportunities for Kenyans abroad.

The government has signed bilateral labor agreements with different countries to allow the country to export their skills.

“MKU in partnership with the German university, aims to establish structures and processes that will prepare 5,000 Kenyans to work in Germany in various sectors,” Prof Jaganyi said.

Further, he said that students interested in the opportunities are required to have German Language proficiency and pursue a preparatory programme in Nursing apprenticeship for German hospitals.

“Kenyan Professionals based in Germany will support the beneficiaries of this project to integrate in their new environment and culture as they commence their paid apprenticeships in Germany to support the labour market. Expanding the job horizon for our people aligns very well with our motto of unlocking infinite possibilities.”

He said the university has a similar partnership with Lebenshilfe Tirol of Austria that also enables nursing graduates from the Kenyan university to work in Austria.

“MKU expects to initially have 60 nursing graduates to travel to Austria. Graduates are required to have German language B1 Level," he said.