The University of Nairobi and the University of Kent in the UK launched the Erasmus+ project on Tuesday December 8, 2020. This is a collaboration between the two Universities that will promote students and staff mobility between the two institutions.

The launch was attended by the Vice Chancellors of both universities; University of Kent, Prof. Karen Cox and UoN, Prof. Stephen Kiama. The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Raychelle Omamo who is also an alumnus of the University of Kent was a guest speaker. In attendance were Johnson Kinyua, Director Career Services, UoN, James Corbin, Head of Careers and Employability, University of Kent, Primrose Paskins, Snr International Partnerships Officer, University of Kent, George Kimani Chairman, KNCCI and Jesse Muraya from KNCCI among other guests from the two Universities.

In her speech, Amb. Raychelle Omamo congratulated the two institutions for joining forces to implement the Erasmus+ project that will support staff and students in mobility between the two Universities in Africa and Asia focusing on the exchange of best practice in the area of careers and employability services.

In his speech, the UoN VC, Prof.  Stephen Kiama welcomed this collaboration and noted that it would help promote sustainable development by reduce unemployment especially among the graduates and promote learning of new skills required by the job market.

Patricia Crew an Alumni from the University of Kent in her remarks stated that to place students in careers, they must be educated and skilled. She applauded the University of Kent for its famous and renowned graduates.

Johnson Kinyua, the Director Career Services, UoN shared the experiences from the University of Nairobi’s Office of Career Services. The Career Office focuses on retooling and repackaging graduates who are market and future-ready graduates. The Erasmus+ project will expose the UoN graduates to best practices. This will be achieved by setting up a Career Assessment Centre, Graduate Tracker System and engaging the industry and students to enable the industry to absorb the graduates.

Geoffrey Kimani, the Chairman, the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) indicated that KNCCI is keen to receive high-quality graduates that have gone through the Erasmus+ program and offer internship and job opportunities through their Youth Service Program aimed at engaging students to prepare for the work sector and entrepreneurship.

In concluding the program launch, James Corbin, the Head of Careers and Employability Services indicated that the University of Kent was looking forward to partnering with the University of Nairobi in developing the skills of students together and offering trainings in relevant skills.

The University of Nairobi looks forward to a fruitful collaboration with the University of Kent.