Interview: Kenyan winner of China-funded skills contest eyes rosy future

Charity Ojwang, a 21-year-old Kenyan university student majoring in mechanical engineering is upbeat about her future after winning a China-funded professional skills contest.

Ojwang has twice participated in the contest dubbed Africa Technology Challenge sponsored by Chinese firm AVIC international.

In a telephone interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, Ojwang said she had enhanced her skills through the contest which involved months-long training offered by Chinese engineers.

"I will embark on the final lap early January and hope to graduate without hitches. The skills that I have acquired over a lengthy period will ultimately secure me a good job," she said.

The competition each time attracts hundreds of participants from Kenyan universities and vocational training institutions.

Ojwang participated in the competition in 2014 and 2015. In this year's contest held in August, she was among five girls who competed in the male dominated profession.

During the contest, her prowess in assembling and operating state-of-the-art machines confounded fellow students and trainers.

She has secured a scholarship from AVIC international for a two-year post-graduate degree in mechanical engineering at a leading Chinese university.

"Going to China in 2017 to pursue my post graduate studies will be a watershed moment in my life. I am very excited about the trip to China and will utilize this rare opportunity to gain life changing skills," she said.

She added the study tour in China would broaden her world view while sharpening her knowledge of the Asian giant's industrial transformation.

"It will be a great opportunity to learn how China achieved its engineering prowess. I am keen to learn what China did differently to become an industrial powerhouse," said Ojwang.

As for her future career, Ojwang intends to utilize her technical skills to work in a big industrial plant.

"I plan to apply for internship at AVIC International and utilize skills gained there to help develop my country. I am optimistic about clinching a lucrative job in a manufacturing plant after the internship," Ojwang said.

She also has a plan after graduation to mentor young people and boost their appreciation of engineering courses during her spare time. Endit