KUCCPS and Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas National Polytechnic Join Hands to Enhance Access to Unique Courses
Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas National Polytechnic has joined KUCCPS’ student placement process to provide a wider access to its unique oil and gas industry-oriented courses.
This follows the elevation of the institution to a national polytechnic in September 2024.
Five of its programs – Diploma in Petroleum Management, Diploma in Welding and Fabrication, Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, Diploma in Environmental Science and Certificate in Welding and Fabrication – have been published on the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) student’s portal for online application ahead of the May 2025 intake.
The online KUCCPS application portal will close on April 30, 2025.
KUCCPS CEO Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome noted that by listing the programs on the KUCCPS application portal, the institution had joined 200-plus public TVET institutions, 70 universities and 90 Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campuses that had embraced the central student placement system.
The growing number of institutions recruiting students through the KUCCPS application portal, including TVET colleges operated in other government ministries different from the Ministry of Education, signifies faith in the integrity and efficiency of the KUCCPS processes.
“Anyone applying for a course through KUCCPS cannot fake KCSE results as we get that directly from KNEC,” Dr. Wahome said during a meeting with Morendat Institute Director, Dr. Nancy Kosgey, at the KUCCPS offices in Nairobi.
The five Morendat Institute’s programmes address various facets of oil and gas industry and ensure that students are well prepared for industry challenges and positioned to contribute to the sector’s sustainable development, according to Dr. Kosgey.
“Morendat equips students with appropriate theoretical and hands-on industry-driven skills and knowledge, which is desirable for the dynamic industry that drives the world.”
The institute has forged partnerships with international institutions to offer courses that are recognized locally and internationally. “Currently, we have a specialized course in welding, which is ISO 9606-1 certified, and this meets the international requirement of welding. This is one of the unique courses and one of its kind in the region, that offers opportunities for jobs both locally and internationally. It is a three-month course and gives students an international competitive edge,” the Director explained.
The specialized welding course not only attracts all graduates ranging from Form Four leavers, Bachelor’s degree and even Master’s holders who are seeking to prepare for careers outside the country, according to Dr. Kosgey.
The institution’s state-of-the-art training equipment performs various international-standard welding processes, including Stick Manual Arc Welding, Tungsten Inert Gas, and Metal Inert Gas.
In its Eldoret Campus, the institution has a fire and safety training centre that offers firefighting training using the latest live fire and rescue training equipment that is one of its kind in the region. This equipment allows trainees to simulate different categories of fire, thus offering them real-life firefighting experience.
Notably, the firefighting training program has attracted the attention of county governments. Uasin Gishu County, for instance, sponsored youths from 30 county wards who, upon graduation, were employed by North Rift counties in their fire departments. “We call on other county governments to also partner with Morendat,” said Dr. Wahome.
Dr. Kosgey added: “In Nairobi campus, we have a laboratory equipped with cutting-edge technology equipment for analytical chemistry training and testing of petroleum products. Our strength is our labs.” With National Environmental Management Authority’s approval, environmental testing for soil, effluent, and water analysis is also conducted at the laboratory.
The national polytechnic has also introduced hospitality courses at its Naivasha campus. With a 54-bed capacity conference centre, the campus seeks to offer practical, hands-on industry training appropriate for the delicate discipline. The inaugural intake of students is scheduled for May 2025.
To qualify for the three-year diploma programs, applicants must have a minimum mean grade of C- (minus) in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination. For the two-year certificate programmes, candidates need a minimum mean grade of D (plain).
The programmes are examined and certified by the TVET Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Certification Council (TVET CDACC), which ensures that the training meets national education standards.
Morendat Institute engages Kenya Pipeline staff as trainers due to their wealth of experience in pipeline operations and high-level training. Students gain work experience from KPC.
To ease the pressure on parents, the institution allows flexibility in the payment of annual tuition fee of Kshs. 71,700.