Don Bosco Technical Institute Students Gain Practical Experience at MRDC 

Two Information Technology students from the Don Bosco Technical Institute (DBTI) are currently undertaking a nine-week On-the-Job Training (OJT) program with Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) 

Katherine Ovia and Immanuel Alois are the second group of students to benefit from a institutional partnership established between MRDC and DBTI in 2024. The collaboration provides students from DBTI Diploma in Information Technology program with practical experience, complementing their studies.  

MRDC’s General Manager for Corporate Services Owen Makindi, said the program introduces students to the company’s corporate values of Respect, Accountability, Integrity, Teamwork, and Excellence (RAITE).  

“This training provides a foundation for understanding MRDC corporate culture and professional standards we are guided by,” said Mr. Makindi. 

“The students were also exposed to MRDC’s work around managing state and landowner interests in the petroleum, gas and mining sector.”  

MRDC ICT Manager Kametan Sibunakau detailed that their training covers software installation, PC and hardware maintenance, helpdesk support, and working with networks, VoIP, cloud computing, and corporate security systems. 

“In addition to hands-on tasks, we’ve enrolled them online courses, allowing them to earn further certifications in various ICT technologies,” Mr. Sibunakau explained. 

 “I’ve gained significant hands-on experience in technical support, daily IT operations, and troubleshooting both hardware and software, including Microsoft Office 365,” said Katherine Ovia.

“Working closely with experienced professionals has enhanced my problem-solving abilities and my understanding of IT infrastructure.” 

Katherine praised the partnership, “the collaboration provides students with an opportunity to apply our knowledge in a corporate environment,” she said. “It helps build our confidence, professionalism, and career direction. I will leave with a wealth of new knowledge and practical skills.”