UoN hosts Skill Up Africa Expo and Conference 2023
On the 15th of July, the University of Nairobi (UoN) in collaboration with Nation Media Group among other strategic partners held the Skill Up Africa Expo & Conference on the International World Youth Skills Day, themed ‘Transforming Youth Skills for the Future’.
The two-day event that began on 14th of July attracted a large audience of both students and industry leaders to discuss the importance of helping young people develop the skills sets that will enable them to thrive in the job market and also be problem solvers within the society.
During the opening ceremony, held at Taifa Hall, UoN, Main Campus, various industry representatives spoke on the different ways in which empowering the youth with all the necessary skills they require to benefit the society as a whole. The opening remarks saw the various representatives each give their remarks with speech from, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o Deputy-Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVCAA), UoN representing the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama, Kenneth Oyolla, Chief Commercial Officer, Nation Media Group Plc.
Gideon Murenga, TVET National Coordinator, GIZ Kenya, Caroline Njuki, Officer in Charge ILO Kenya, just to name a few.
In his speech, Prof. Ogeng’o stated that the University of Nairobi through the Office of Career Services is striving to build the skills and competencies of our students as we prepare them for the job market. The Office helps graduates to transit smoothly from learning to earning. This is achieved by developing essential competencies and skills among graduates to groom them for the job market.
Mr. Kenneth Oyola, Nation Media Group, Chief Operations Officer advised the youth to seize the moment to embrace skilling as a pathway to personal and professional growth and be proactive in seeking the opportunities.
“Remain adaptive to the changing circumstances and cultivate a mindset of lifelong learning. Remember your skills are the keys that unlock the doors to success,” Mr. Oyola said.
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Florence K. Bore, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, was represented by Hon. Geoffrey Kaituko, PS, State Development for Labour and Skills Development, Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, who gave the keynote address on her behalf.
Hon. Kaituko emphasised that education is a right for every youth. Government shapes the future by providing crucial skills that are relevant to the job market.
“New reforms such as the new curriculum is a perfect step towards a brighter future,” Hon Kaituko said.
On her part, Prof.Mary Kinoti, Director, IPMO said the University of Nairobi is a home for youths.
“We train them both in knowledge set, skill set, attitude set and behavior set as well so as to be able to solve the many problems facing our society in Kenya and beyond. We have greatly contributed to human capital skill development for our students in Kenya and beyond through University programmes such as Innovation, Incubation and Commercialization Program that is supported by the Computing for Development where engineering students and those carrying out research can practice and learn more on their projects practically,’’ Prof. Kinoti said.
Nation Media Group Chief Executive Officer Mr. Stephen Gitagama, noted that they are committed to the youths and the agenda of the country and therefore the youths needed to upgrade their skills to suit the market demand.
