KCA University Chancellor Prof. Olive Mugenda has challenged institutions of higher learning to collaborate with industry players to develop academic programmes aligned to the market so as to enhance the employability of their students.
Prof. Mugenda said such linkages will help universities to produce highly skilled students who can drive groundbreaking discoveries and technological advancements.
Speaking during the university’s 16th graduation ceremony yesterday, Prof. Mugenda blamed the high rates of unemployment bedevilling the country on the disconnect between academic training and market demands.
“If only universities would offer marketable courses and link their students to the industry, the rate of unemployment could not be this bad,” she said.
On innovations, the Chancellor rooted for enhanced collaborations between academia and industry for the creation of a robust innovation ecosystem, to accelerate economic transformation, and to enable the universities to continually receive global transformation.
“The rest of the country looks up to universities to create the requisite new knowledge that is a major driver of economic growth. It is our duty to come up with data that informs policy formulation. Apart from generating income, innovations get into the market place and offer solutions for longstanding challenges facing the world,” stated Mugenda.
Her sentiments were echoed by the University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaiah Wakindiki, who said the institution has been keen on linking their graduates to the industry to enhance their employability.
“KCA University is working closely with industries for mentorship of our students and consequent absorption into the job market. This synergy between us and the industry has been resulting in the development of products and services that serve market demands while creating new markets and opportunities,” he said.
This, he said, will ensure that graduates enter the job market promptly and provide solutions to the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Prof. Wandiki added that the university aims to fund scholarship opportunities in research using the Sh17 million collected during the recent cycling circuit covering 1002 kilometres from Nairobi to Kisumu and back.
He added that the university is in the process of reviewing their programs to maximise on the benefits of generative AI while mitigating potential risks in three key programmes that include grading assessment, enhanced research capabilities, and virtually
The graduation comes at a time when technology continues to advance as the job market evolves and the importance of lifelong learning is only expected to grow.
By Muoki Charles
