MNUC Hosts Inaugural Career Week: Shaping the Workforce of the 21st Century

On 12th February 2025, MNUC proudly hosted its inaugural Career day under the theme: Creating a Workforce for the 21st Century. This event brought together high school and university students, industry leaders, and professionals, all with a shared goal—to bridge the gap between academia and the job market.

The event was officially launched by the Principal of the University College Prof Zipporah Ng’ang’a, whose opening remarks set an inspiring tone. She emphasized the crucial role of lifelong learning, curiosity, and continuous skill development in helping students carve a niche in today’s highly competitive workforce. She urged them to keep abreast with changing technologies and cultivate multiple skills to remain relevant in the dynamic 21st-century job market.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Dr. Carol Hunja from the Ministry of Education, Mr. Vincent Oruko captivated the audience with an empowering message. He highlighted essential attributes for career success, including self-belief, discipline, focus, persistence, and the invaluable role of mentorship. His reference to Prof. PLO Limumba on having open minds and thinking without the box instead of merely thinking outside the box encourages students to embrace limitless creativity and critical thinking. He challenged them to move beyond conventional boundaries and cultivate independent and innovative perspectives.

One of the major highlights of the event was the breakout sessions, where students had the invaluable opportunity to interact with industry experts from various fields. These specialized discussions provided critical insights tailored to different career paths:

  • Health Sciences: Dr. Eliphas Gitonga (Kenyatta University) and Dr. Ruth Mbugua (MNUC) guided students on navigating careers in medicine, research, and healthcare innovation.
  • Business and Humanities: Mr. Stephen Mwaniki (Equity Bank Kenya) shared his expertise on entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership skills required in corporate environments. Pure and Applied Sciences: Mr. Clive Mochiemo (KCA) enlightened students on industry expectations, scientific innovations, and the skills needed to thrive in technological and scientific fields.
  • Career Guidance for High School and School Leavers: Mr. Jonah Gichuhi, and Mr. Samuel Ndungu, Dr. Mbiriri, played a pivotal role in guiding young minds on selecting suitable career paths based on their strengths, interests, and emerging market trends.

The event featured an engaging cross-disciplinary panel discussion moderated by Dr. Robert Ombati and Josephine Nkangi. Panelists—including all the specialist speakers of the day along with Ms. Patrose Mutugi (Metropol), Ms. Rosaline Atieno (Meducation), and Mr. Isaac Kuria (MNUC who answered question raised by the participants in relation to building sustainable future through intra and interdisciplinary. The discussion ranged from strategies for fostering collaboration between academia and industry to build a sustainable workforce. Their insights emphasized adaptability, the importance of networking, and the role of technology in shaping future careers.

The event further featured an impressive exhibition where students and industry partners showcased their innovations, projects, and research. This platform not only highlighted students’ creativity and problem-solving abilities but also provided networking opportunities with potential employers and mentors.

The inaugural Career day at MNUC was a great success and attained its objective of empowering students with the knowledge and skills required to thrive in an unpredictable job market. A foundation has been set for a more prepared workforce ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century. The University College extends its heartfelt gratitude to all speakers, exhibitors, attendees and other partners for making the event an enormous success.