The Need For Oracle Primevera P6 Software Among Students

by Maryann Muganda April 7, 2023 · Innovations / Technology

Engineering has always had an essential role in development and human welfare. Ensuring that future generations of engineers and scientists will be able to design solutions for local and global challenges is critical.

The University of Nairobi and Oracle Academy collaborated to hold a training on Wednesday, March 29, with the title SKILLS FOR TRAINING course ON ORACLE PRIMAVERA P6 FOR CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGEMENT. The training was held in honor of UNESCO World Engineering Month for Sustainable Development 2023, with the theme Engineering Innovation for a more resilient World.

This workshop was conducted in collaboration with the University of Nairobi Faculty of Built Environment and Design, Construction and Real Estate Student Association (CRESA), and Oracle Academy, a long-time partner of the University of Nairobi.

The workshop’s main objective was to improve skill development and raise knowledge of the effectiveness and cost-effective advantages of the Oracle software by instructing construction and engineering students on how to use Oracle Primavera P6 for project management.

Oracle Kenya Country Leader David Bunei and Nairobi University Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama attended the event. They both delivered major addresses on Harnessing the Power of Innovation and Digital Transformation in the Construction Industry.

“No one can achieve greatness alone, which is why this partnership between Oracle and Nairobi University is important,” Mr. Bunei said during his speech.

Oracle Kenya Country Leader David Bunei giving a speech at the Workshop in Nairobi University. Photo/Courtesy

As a firm believer in teamwork, he urged everyone to appreciate how an extra hand brings out the best in everyone. “We’re leveraging our key strengths to bring out the best in each other,” he insisted.

Prof. Stephen Kiama expressed gratitude for the Oracle Academy cooperation as well as the Primavera P6 tools during his speech. “The Oracle Primavera Skills Workshop for Construction and Engineering Project Management is critical in developing capacities for construction and engineering students to gain skills and knowledge on project management efficiency and cost effectiveness.”

Prof. Stephen Kiama the Vice Chancellor of University of Nairobi giving a speech at the event. Photo/Courtesy

Oracle Academy Director Danny Gooris welcomed everyone, including those who had participated virtually and in person.

Regional Manager East Africa Christopher Muthere, Principal Technology solution Engineer, Marion Karanja spoke at the event and also participated in the panel discussions.

Miss Karanja discussed her college experience as a female engineer and the challenges she faced in this male-dominated profession. She urged both men and women to never doubt their problem-solving skills. Miss Karanja stated that her biggest issue in college was self-doubt. She emphasized that no one should be afraid to seek assistance from their professors or advisors, and that information should be shared in order to advance.

Darko Jurekovic, Program Manager at the Croatian Oracle Academy, assisted with the Primavera P6 software training. He demonstrated the software to the students and teachers, explaining its importance in construction and real estate, how to use it, and how Oracle offers it for free. Oracle Primavera P6 is a powerful project management tool used by businesses to handle projects, programs, and portfolios.

Its primary purpose is to help project managers and teams effectively plan, schedule, and control their projects, ensuring that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the desired level of quality.

The software assists in the resolution of specific problems such as project planning, resource management, cost control, and risk management. It also allows project team members to effectively cooperate, share information and updates, and communicate progress in real-time.

Students during the Oracle Primavera P6 training. Photo/Courtesy

Primavera P6 includes powerful reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing project managers to create customized reports and dashboards to track progress, identify patterns, and make data-driven decisions.

Because it is an essential tool for project management, students should be familiar with the Oracle Primavera P6 software. It helps with project management, resource management, risk management, cost management, collaboration, and communication.

According to Tom Oketch, a lecturer in Quantity Survey and Construction Management at the University of Nairobi, the Oracle Primavera P6 is important because it provides students with a wide range of opportunities. “A lot of construction projects use software,” he continues. “Learning it puts a student in a better position to understand more elements,” he says, adding that he expects Oracle Academy to push for the inclusion of Oracle P6 software in the curriculum and classroom instruction.

Architect Peter Njeru, head of the University of Nairobi’s school of real estate and construction management, is grateful for the exposure the students have received as a result of Oracle P6 training, claiming that the software is more advanced than what they are taught in class. “The market has complex and diverse projects,” he says, hoping that the training will equip students with the skills needed to handle the challenges they will face.

According to Antony Muoki, the president of CRESA and a student at the University of Nairobi studying quantity survey and construction management, the decision to partner with Oracle Academy was made because the organization noticed that many engineering and construction professionals lacked the necessary technological skills after completing their education. He goes on to state that the students needed the training to be ready for the workforce. He plans to extend his collaboration with Oracle Academy.

CRESA president Anthony Muoki with Martin Omondi Ochieng’ the Governor of CRESA. Photo/Courtesy

Mathew Mutero, a Technical University of Kenya student majoring in Construction Management, expressed gratitude to Oracle for the skills workshop, stating that the software will be crucial in shaping his future path. “It’s not just about having a project and planning for it; you have to consider all dimensions,” he says, adding that the software is useful not only for students studying real estate, construction management, and quantity surveying, but also for contractors and business owners. He continues by claiming that Primavera P6 will create better professionals and reduce the number of construction collisions.

Before the training, Benard Mwangi, a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, claims he was already using the Oracle P6 software. He adds that he has been researching it on YouTube for the past four months. He appreciates the exposure and experience he has gained and advises students to the training the training seriously because the Software is essential for success in the outside world.

Lorna Juma, program manager at Oracle Academy, expressed gratitude to everyone who helped make the event a success by joining the workshop. “Working with universities is something Oracle believes is critical to attracting top talent, utilizing cutting-edge research, developing curricula, supporting community outreach, and raising brand awareness,” she explained why Oracle’s partnership with universities is important. “We will continue these partnerships in order for Oracle to maintain its market competitiveness, encourage creativity, and support the growth of the technology sector.”

This event was held to celebrate engineering with the future workforce.