Graduates have been urged to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), innovation and entrepreneurship as tools to compete in a rapidly evolving global market and to beat joblessness.
Kenya National Innovation Agency CEO Dr Tonny Omwansa said by embracing such skills, graduates will be able to see themselves as job creators, innovators and problem solvers.
Addressing 8,724 graduates during Mount Kenya University (MKU’s) 27th graduation ceremony at the Thika Main Campus, Dr Omwansa said innovation and AI have transformed higher education, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
“Your ideas are not just academic projects; they can be commercialized to business solutions. Position yourselves as problem solvers, create scalable solutions and consistently work through the development of those solutions into sustainable enterprises or institutions,” Dr. Omwansa told the graduates.
The official at the same time underscored the government’s efforts in supporting research and innovations including the opening of innovation hubs and technology clubs that can help turn concepts into thriving businesses.
Additionally, he said, the Research to Commercialization (R2C) Accelerator Programme has helped researchers and academics bridge the gap between research ideas and commercial success.
The programme helps build skills on designing value proposition, modeling businesses, raising funds, pitching the ideas and structuring teams, and then linking to investors and commercialization partners through expert coaching and networking.
He added that over the last two years, 25 research-based start-ups that have gone through the program have gone ahead to raise upwards of Sh255 million on their own, registered 18 new ventures and created 220 new jobs.
On his part, MKU Chancellor Prof John Struthers urged universities to offer courses aligned with market demands.
“Graduates must brand themselves as solution providers, innovators, and global citizens ready to tackle both local and international challenges,” said Prof Struthers.
The university’s Council Chairman Dr Vincent Gaitho said the institution will continue linking its graduates to opportunities ensuring they become globally competitive.
He said the council will continue to support public-private partnerships and industry-academia collaborations in the promotion of education, training programmes and re-skilling initiatives to prepare the labour force for AI-driven knowledge economies.
“We have partnered with tech giants like Microsoft to create an AI-empowered university system, offering tools and training to students,” he said.
By Muoki Charles
