Swazi Observer

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INDUSTRY MEETS HIGHER EDUCATION TO SOLVE SKILLS GAP

By Sithembile Hlatshwayo | 2024-11-26

For a nation like the Kingdom of Eswatini, endowed with vast forestry and vegetation and home to the third-largest man-made forests in the world, it seems unthinkable that simple products like toothpicks and firelighters (such as the matches brand) must be imported.

Despite having the raw materials in abundance, the country’s reliance on external producers is a striking example of the skills shortages, mismatches and lack of upskilling that undermine its economic potential.

This mismatch underscores the urgent need for stronger collaboration between industry and higher education institutions (HEIs) to equip Eswatini’s youth with the skills and knowledge needed to harness the country's resources and drive its industries forward.

It was this very urgency that brought over 200 stakeholders together for the Eswatini Higher Education and Industry Symposium, which was held on November 20–21, at The George Hotel in Manzini. Organised by the ministry of education and training (MoET) and the Eswatini Higher Education Council (ESHEC), the event tackled the theme: ‘Candid and In-depth Conversations Between Higher Education Institutions and Industry on Aligning Educational Programmes with Industry Needs.’

All higher education institutions, both private and public participated in the symposium.
The industries that had high level representation included Information Communication and Technology, financial services, agriculture production, energy and water, building, construction, Engineering, professional bodies and ultimately, the education sector.

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