KEWI Marks Milestone as First Tiangong Cohort Undertakes Inaugural Assessments
The Kenya Water Institute (KEWI) has marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Tiangong Workshop, with the first cohort of learners undertaking their JIAXING–Tiangong theory and practical assessments across programmes including E-Commerce, Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Construction Technology.
The assessments provided the pioneering cohort with an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and competencies acquired throughout their training, while marking an important transition from classroom-based learning to formal evaluation of their practical capabilities.
In E-Commerce, the assessment covered both theoretical understanding and practical application, alongside Innovation and Entrepreneurship, reflecting the programme’s focus on preparing learners for an increasingly digital and dynamic world of work. Beyond technical knowledge, the training equips learners with competencies in creativity, problem-solving, opportunity identification and the application of digital solutions in business.
For learners undertaking Construction Technology, the practical assessments provided a platform to apply classroom knowledge through hands-on activities covering areas such as construction techniques, Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology fundamentals, building structures, and construction materials and testing.
The practical sessions involved the use of construction materials, tools and testing procedures, allowing learners to demonstrate their ability to apply technical concepts in practical settings. The sessions also emphasised collaboration, adherence to appropriate procedures and observance of workplace safety requirements, including the use of personal protective equipment.
The assessment milestone reflects the practical orientation of the Tiangong Workshop, which combines theoretical instruction with hands-on learning to develop competencies that respond to contemporary industry needs. The programme also incorporates modern approaches to technical education, including multimedia-enabled learning, online co-training and joint instruction involving Chinese instructors.
The Tiangong Workshop is a product of collaboration between KEWI and the Jiangxi Applied Engineering Vocational Institute (JAEVI) of China, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2025. The partnership seeks to strengthen technical and vocational education, skills development and knowledge exchange while exposing learners to modern technologies and industry-oriented training approaches.
For the first cohort, reaching the assessment stage represents an important phase in the implementation of the programme. Their progression from training to formal theory and practical evaluation provides an opportunity to demonstrate the competencies developed through the initiative while generating valuable experience for the continued development of the Tiangong Workshop.
As the pioneering learners complete this stage of their training, their experience provides a foundation for future cohorts and continued KEWI–JAEVI collaboration. Through the Tiangong Workshop, KEWI continues to expand opportunities for learners to acquire practical, relevant and industry-responsive skills while strengthening international partnerships that contribute to the advancement of technical and vocational education.