Nairobi: Industry players, including Human Resources (HR) professionals, have initiated partnerships with universities to review curriculums and provide mentorship programs, aiming to better prepare students for industry demands.
According to Kenya News Agency, the collaboration came into effect after identifying a significant skills mismatch between academic training and industry requirements, which became apparent when students entered the job market or secured internship placements. Wambui Macharia, Manager of People and Talent Development at a Nairobi-based HR company, expressed concerns that many students lack essential technological skills and practical experience, which hinders their performance in job interviews. “That’s why we have partnered with institutions of higher learning in curriculum reviews as well as mentoring students to pursue marketable courses to make them competitive,” Wambui stated during a career fair at Zetech University’s Ruiru campus.
The event, which lasted a week, allowed stud
ents to engage with entrepreneurs, professionals, and educators, gaining valuable insights and securing opportunities for internships, attachments, and specialized training. Sophia Kihanda, Manager at Paleo Hotels, emphasized the need for students in the hospitality industry to acquire diverse skills, including foreign languages, financial management, and IT. “Sometimes we get concerned when students are only trained in one area, let’s say food preparation and service. This sector needs one to be well-rounded with more than three skills, and proficient in three foreign languages,” Kihanda explained.
Prof Owen Ngumi, the University’s Dean of the School of Education, Arts and Social Sciences, highlighted the benefits of these industry partnerships. “Through these partnerships with the industry, we have addressed the skills mismatch among our students as well as come up with marketable academic programs thus making our students competitive,” Ngumi remarked. The initiatives are part of a broader effort to align
academic programs with real-world industry demands, ensuring that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also adequately equipped to thrive in their respective fields.