 Good morning to you. Welcome back. This is Why In The Morning. My name is Ram Aguco, because we apologize for the technical glitch a few moments ago, but of course this conversation continues right here on Why In The Morning. And of course keep talking to us. The hashtag is Why In The Morning at Ram Aguco and at Y254 Channel. That's where you can engage with us. Because we value your feedback, let us know where you're watching us from and I shall sample your comments a bit later on during this morning conversation. So as I had mentioned earlier on, we want to talk about matters concerning building our skillset in mechatronics. And we want to find out what mechatronics is all about and how best you can be able to harness these particular skills here right here on Why In The Morning. Before we went on that particular break, we had a conversation with a particular set of students that managed to go to the world skills competition that took place in Namibia. And of course particularly these skills were meant to showcase the skills of our Kenyan students in regards to the skills and institutions that they are in the world skills Africa Swakup Mood 2022. So world skills Kenya participated in this event and of course we were represented as a country in Namibia and I am with the different set of students today. To my far right I am with Victoria Wanjiko, 2nd runner up mechatronics and also next to me Magoi Maxwell also 2nd runner up in the area of mechatronics. Karibuni Sana. And of course let me start with you Maxwell. We are talking about mechatronics and it may appear to be a big terminology for some. What is mechatronics all about? So mechatronics, mechatronics is a multidisciplinary course. It combines the traditional mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and computer science. It came about trying to meet the skills required in the current technological developments. See there are new technologies that are emerging that require certain skills and the traditional engineering courses that we had didn't match the required skills for certain areas of industries. So you're trying to keep yourself updated with the changing times in technology. Yes. Okay. Let me come to you and of course let us know in your own way what mechatronics is all about. Mechatronics is a combination of 3 engineering courses that is electrical, mechanical and programming. You can give her your mark. Yes. Yes. Yes. All right. Yes. Mechatronics is a combination of 3 engineering courses that is mechanical, electrical and programming. And then it is as we move, as the industrial world evolves, we move with it. So we are coming to a place where we are replacing the normal workers with automation. All right. And of course this is in regards to how we can be able to fuse all of them at the same time. They make electronic, mechanical and engineering. I believe that's the terminology. Let me come back to you. I think your mic has been sorted out. All right. So the hammock is good. All right. Thank you. So coming back to you, you managed to go to that event in Namibia. Oh yeah. Right? Yeah. How was it there? During the competition, actually the first date was really tense because it's the first time you're competing in such an environment. Yeah. And because it's a new environment, we didn't know what to expect. We didn't know how our competitors from other countries would behave. It was really tense, but in the coming, the next day until the competition ended, I think it became more familiar with the equipment and everything. I think it was fun after that. It was fun after that? Yeah. But Katonix, how was it for you going to Namibia? It was a nice experience that I can say. It was still the first time for the both of you? Yeah, it was the first time. It was a nice experience. But I could learn new things that you didn't know. Yeah. And it was a learning experience. But for many, you have mentioned this a bit earlier on. We look at mechanics or mechatronics as a man's kind of a thing. Not a man's kind of a business. Yes. Have you received such sentiments from people? It's challenging. For us, he's doing mechatronics. I'm the industry mechatronics. It is a duo system. It was introduced by the Germans. It is 50-50. 50% you are in school, 50% you are in industry. So, we can get discriminated by men in industry. We will soon see that machines will prevent mechatronics from pushing apenas. Players will tell and there will be all sorts of things. So you look at mechatronics. It's kinda different. Stuff like this, it's in the books more. we go through a system when it was introduced in 2020 we get through the reading, so you can see how we would get into our classes Right now you have practical sessions and when you go to the industry and you have some practical lessons twice a week then you are into school three days a week So is this a form of gender discrimination and gender bias? How have you managed to go above and beyond these kinds of discriminations? See you try to prove them wrong. Kwa kwa ambia kwa ambia no. This is my skill. Una kata. Or asmua onkinshumgumu. Asgo kwa asmau. Ia wana oka demo. See aki sama di samawa. Aki sama di samawa. Lakini, siun, halan baadu. Jugu kwen na pala kutumu atumu? Wana. Going to Namibia. S� kwa kwa hatu kwa kwenago Waveko? Sama b sizesu na kona? Kwa bagu na kenya na flagi? Kwa wana na kwa bagu na kwa wana na kwa kwa kwa nanku? Kwa bisha kwa wana na kwa bagu na kwa kwa karimapu na kwa? Kwa bisha kwa kwa bisha kwa kwa kwa arikufu na kwa? I believe we are going to get a few photos that are going to be displayed in a bit so once the photos are ready just let me know these and then we can just take a look at how it was but let me come to you What are your thoughts in regards to this skill of mechatronics because there is this perception that it's not something that people need to go to school to learn you know the people who just go and they want to do furniture in the hood Okay so obviously there's those people that will prefer to learn from themselves and it's okay up to some point but I think learning for yourself it brings a lot of challenges with it because such a heavy cost it requires a lot of equipments and a lot of equipments and supports and doing that but I don't think you can manage Before you continue I'm seeing the photos are coming up on the screen this is you Ya that's us with the team leader What is that device that I'm seeing on the table there Okay that's a simplification of an automated system like in traditional manufacturing systems there's like a lot of people working on the same thing like there's someone moving past from here someone controlling this and that but I think for what we built is a system that only requires one person or even sometimes nobody to run it just runs by itself That whole piece is it the whole thing from head to toe it looks like yoyote Ya the whole thing You built it Ya you have to build it from scratch From scratch Ya and then you have to program it to do certain things Let's go back to the previous picture this one here So I'm looking at the wiring and the cabling system and the technology there How did you come by all this particular idea and putting them all up together Yes to you Ya so many creativity and your mind the brains That is a robotic arm Now we came to the industry You see like example if you go to the industry Let me use Coca Cola We came to Coca Cola See that there is someone who is feeling the juice It is the machine that is feeling If you cut a certain level in the same image and then it goes to the next So that Ya yoyote Ya yoyote Like that you pick once something from one place to another Then the process continues Okay You thought on that How did you come up with this particular idea Was this something you carried on there in Namibia Ya so during the compression you are given certain instructions And certain pieces And equipment that you are supposed to use Then it's up to you to come up with the best way Of how to combine the equipment and all the electronics The wiring and tubing and everything To come up with your own system So I think it's purely your imagination Your imagination and from the knowledge that you had from school And the training that you had before going to Namibia I think it was just purely You had to come up with something I think this country Do you think we need more of this in Kenya? Ya Ya sure because most of the manufacturing in Kenya Medium Kenya is more of an importing country than an exporting country And for us to reach that economical milestone That we desperately need We need to manufacture stuff in Kenya Locally in Kenya And bringing mechatronics engineering And systems like this It will help in improving Proving the manufacturing capabilities of Kenya And we do not necessarily Have to depend on western nation countries To help us setting up the systems Because in Kenya we have the skills to build such things So is this the day of the event? Ya, that's after the event Or this after? Ya after the event After the closing ceremony Ya? The closing ceremony The closing ceremony Ya I'm seeing your team leaders They are Shrada, Joseph and Oxyrenmy Just the four competitors Hey Wow I cut off 40 parts Interesting How did it feel? You day in the event Was it your recognition And second on yourself For mechatronics? Ya And I hope for the best But it was nice Bado Since it was the first time to compete in such a skill And we don't have those facilities Those machines in our country So we tried Ya, I believe you did It's not easy to come Second runs up It's not easy on that particular day Apani, this is I believe this is you Ya You look at the vizganis That's the same machine Ya, the same machine Ya, that's the same machine Same day The last day The very last task And this? That's me Same thing? Looks like a CPU or computer The wiring of the system Ya It has a brain, a controller It's like a PC But a PC That was developed specifically For industries Because industries have high conditions High temperatures And all of that So they have to develop A certain controller That meets the needs Wow And what is the feature For that particular device Now that you've managed to make it up Is it Is it still going to be Something that you are going to Build up on, work on Or is it ready for usage? I think the main idea Behind the entire competition Was just building us It's like a prototype Of a system So after building it I think After the experience that you had In building the system Much skilled A big and better one Ya, big and better That can do a lot of manufacturing And stuff Does the size matter? Yes, it does matter Comparing to Ni niniu na manufacture Because There's different types Of products In manufacturing industries You find that there's Manufacturing, for example Chips In electronics That requires a smaller Sample of the machine But in developing every machinery You require very huge machines Ya Ulipea challenges Ga ni kwa ii kompetitia ni mulianda Uka face That you have managed to Come over Just a few challenges that you face What challenges do you face? Challenges The machines We are not familiar with them So it's our first time Ulipea machines stuff out Different You don't have such Stations In Kenya So kupa taiso parts Kwa zi combine it was challenging Kujoe inafaku nda And the connection Uki pata People from South Africa and Namibia They are familiar with those machines Since wana opanyanga Wana tumiyanga sana For their training It's time we brought those things to Kenya To relate as to kwa nazo pia It's good to relate to kwa nazo We get to learn more It's a fact that we don't have a particular Ya Do you think such an endeavor like this Ya, it can Since We are growing So as the industrial world is Involving Waki let us search machines Those industries in Yazina Is a more automated system Will come and buy Bado it a great employment to the youths Waki sooma As a pata job Challenges can be made In this whole competition I think The main challenge As she said Is familiarization with the equipments Most of the equipments That we use in mechatronics Are not available in Kenya Because even in our school I think it's two of them But it's just two For you to compete favorably With other countries like South Africa and Namibia And the rest You really have to invest heavily In the equipments And a lot of training and experts That we need to help us in the training So I think the main challenge was We are not familiar with the machines And I think that was the main challenge And how long did you take While you were there Because I'm trying to look at the duration You have to take to familiarize yourself With these machines How long did it take How long did it take It had to take you time It took time Because the competition It went for four days The first day you had to familiarize yourself With the machine Love to go through all the equipments And then in the second day That's when the competition started You're given five hours To do a certain task Assembling the session It took the entire four days But the first day you had to accomplish A certain task So the first day you do a certain task Then tomorrow you do a certain task So by the end of the competition Your system had to work It had to do something So these different tasks Are they meant to build one particular item Or are these tasks for different items It builds one complete product After the fourth days Those four days You are given two stations First day you have to assemble the first station It works completely The second day they have a station That day you do some changes And the fourth day still you do some changes On the sensation But it had to work as one And if you don't manage to finish it up On the first day You're still allowed to continue the second day Yeah you'll continue But you don't have time That's your task That's your siku If you don't finish the first day You have to continue the second day And then you have a second day Badu uta itabidi umalize It's basically the first task The second task depends on the first task So for the second task to work It must be the first And if you delay on the first day You've messed up in the one on seven Then you must have been challenging Yeah this is really challenging Let's look at the support that you got The support system that you have So again I come and support you In this whole period That I am a tisha Or I am going to encourage Or I am going to think about it Yes Most people would say My family Then my teacher And the Sponsors The Jaman Sponsors who are sponsoring us And still the FESTA and UNESCO people All right Support system I think the big support That I had was from my lecture And he was also an expert I think he was the one That encouraged me to like To work on Because sometimes we had to stay at school Until later night practicing Practicing Practicing They are building the machines And apart from Apart from my professor I think it's my family I had a very supportive family My sister My sister bugged me all the way From the beginning Because Only the training Only the training It took a lot of time A lot of time A lot of resources And I think My sister really helped me And also The government Without the government We wouldn't be here today Because they helped you to move there The sponsor The government UNESCO No I'm really interested in finding out The perception that Because we need to change the narrative And build The skillset in the country Do you know What is your take on the guys Let me start with you How youths perceive This particular area Of mechatronics And whether we are actually building This particular skillset Or from the Kenyan youth I think for most of the youth For most of the youth When it comes to engineering Or engineering in general It seems like a really hard A really hard course For me to say Course or a skill But as we see As time changes We have a new platform Where they can learn the skills For example Tiveta Before Mechatronics was only offered In universities as a degree But for the reason Tiveta started offering mechatronics In Tiveta And also polytechnics They are offering mechatronics So there are a lot of platforms Where you can learn Or you can gain the skill of mechatronics You don't necessarily have to go to university Polytechnic Most polytechnic Offer the course Tiveta And I think mechatronics For everyone And anyone can actually Yeah you can In terms of mechatronics Youths How are you building Youths in the Fawa Or change perception How are you going to change skills How are you going to make mechatronics Because you know You don't know You know what This skill See how are you You know If you don't know You have to learn it And if you don't know How are you going to change your perception Of youths How are you going to change skills How are you going to change skills Most youths I am a mechatronics Engineering In general I am those genius people I don't know how to manage It's not hard So you are an engineer Yeah I am a genius I am an OP See how I am It's just only you commit yourself Yes You can be a mechatronics And how about youths When you ready to pick up challenges For mechatronics See what Yeah You can say Like How much do you do I am an engineering How are you I am an industry mechatronics You can say See how much do you earn I am an engineer Unafanya kusngumu ya kushtua kijiji na kushtua. That is what they say. Raki ni singumu. You can still manage. You didn't pass. You can still do engineering at a lower level. Unaza pitaweyum tu menyali nda university. Unajaga 2 koses poli poli. Unaza pitaweyum tu poli poli. Unaza patawe kuna more skills Than that person went to do a degree and yet you have done either certificate or diploma or artisan in engineering. Unaza unaza from certificate level. Unaza unaza at artisan level. Okay. Then we upgrade certificate, diploma and degree. Alright. Anybody can do this course. Anybody. Upana. Nani unaza utaka ula ula utaka kupanya engineering. And you didn't pass. You still can do it. And you can make it. I want us to do this kind of a physician to close. Of course, I want us to wrap it up. And let me give it time to have a final word and let me start with you. Ongependa kuhambiya mayutsunini doors skills is is not that I If you have a skill, you can find a platform that values your skill, that is able to push you to the next level, and you can build your career out of that. So just finding what you like, what you are really good at, and the right platform. You can build your empire from that. You can build your empire from that. I love that. What I can say, baza zi apo enja wa support wa toto awo. If it's a girl, aki kuja kuambia na takapanya engineering, senza kum discriminator muambis jiyu, ka misi mamangud, hangi ni supportin muambia na takapanya engineering, hangi ni support singekua apa. So neza takapanya muambia, mischiana aki kuja kuambia, ama any gender of a child, aki kuja kuambia na takapanya e engineering, muambia ni supportin. So you don't know, ama you and your passion aki. Still, kuambia na takapanya kukini, muambia jiyu na geuza mila. We are still going with the time. We are not in the 19th century or in the 21st century. I love what I would like to tell a girl out there. What a man can do, a lady can do it even better. So engineering is not only for men. It is also for social media in case you want to follow me. You can follow me on Instagram. Me on Instagram you can follow me at Torishiku. That's understand. That is Victoria Majiko and Magoi Maxwell. Congratulations guys. I wish you guys the best. Keep doing what you're doing. I want to appear to change the industry and make electronics. We need most of this equipment in our garages. Tuziwa na kila paali. Nikiya na garia ngo paali na jiyu na komba, ni machine ni tahanl. Mituwa nuna kuandolaf, ni niruli nyuma ni nipatespana ali sahum. Thanks for coming. I appreciate it. Of course that is the end of this morning conversation right here. Why in the morning? And of course it's all about matters concerning training, skills training in mechatronics. I hope you've learned something. I have. Keep talking to us. The hashtag is why in the morning at Ram Aguko at Y254 Channel which is the official station handle. That is us to the end of this conversation and of course keep talking to us. We are taking a short break, a musical break but we'll be back to wrap these up in a bit.