The Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi (CIUoN) Students Explore Career Opportunities in Chinese Companies in Kenya.

On 24th September 2024, the Confucius Institute of the University of Nairobi took 40 students from the Faculty of Built Environment (ADD Campus), Faculty of Engineering (American Wing Campus), and Faculty of Health Sciences (Chiromo Campus) and Science and Technology on an industrial tour to two major Chinese-owned companies in Kenya: Fullcare Medical (Kenya) SEZ Ltd. and Topnew Knitwear EPZ Ltd. They were accompanied by the Dean of Students, Mr. John Ireri, ADD Lecturer Mr. Ouma Charles, and two Chinese teachers from the Confucius Institute, Zhang Manman and Gu Junyi.

Topnew Knitwear EPZ Ltd: Exploring the Textile Industry

The tour began with a visit to Topnew Knitwear, located in Athi River's Export Processing Zone (EPZ). This Chinese company  specialises in producing large quantities of garments for international retailers such as Walmart and Costco. HR and Admin Mr. Gabriel welcomed the students Were, who shared insights into the job opportunities available for engineering students who are also learning Chinese.

Following the briefing, the students toured the factory led by CEO Madam Ma and her Personal Assistant, Christine Musyoki. They observed the garment production process, learning how the factory meets global export standards. This gave the students a practical understanding of how the textile industry operates and how engineers contribute to improving efficiency and production.

Fullcare Medical (Kenya) SEZ Ltd: A Leader in Medical Equipment Manufacturing

The students then visited Fullcare Medical, located in Tatu City. Fullcare is a Chinese company in Kenya known for producing high-quality medical and protective equipment, with 80% of its products for export and 20% for the local market.

HR Recruitment Manager Walter Ombina informed the students that medics who learn Chinese are given special consideration during recruitment because of the company's international reach. Health and Safety Officer Kevin Tanui explained the company's commitment to safety and environmental standards. He noted, “As a reputable medical supply manufacturer in the country and region, Fullcare (Kenya) Medical SEZ Ltd is accredited and dedicated to upholding the standards of ISO 45001:2018 & ISO 14001:2015, with high recognition for the health and safety of its people and its environment.”

This part of the tour focused on the company’s safety protocols, which are essential to its success and reputation as an ISO-certified manufacturer.

Preparing for Future Careers

This industrial visit opened the students' eyes to how learning Chinese, along with their academic studies, can give them an advantage in their future careers. At both Topnew Knitwear and Fullcare Medical, they saw how Chinese-owned companies in Kenya value language skills and technical expertise in today’s competitive job market.

The students left with valuable insights into how industries operate in Kenya and how their knowledge of Chinese can play a role in securing employment in both local and global markets.