MMUST Partners With Industry Players to Mark Annual Career Fair in a Bid to Champion 21st Century Skills for Future-Ready Students
In an effort to promote 21st Century skills for future-ready students, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology has partnered with industry players in marking its 2025 career fair. The two-day event, themed ‘Nurturing Future-Ready Skills for the 21st Century Through Strategic Industry Partnerships’, was officially opened by the Chief Guest-Mr. Joel Barua, who was representing the Ag. Director General-National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), Ms. Theresa Wasike. The fair kicked off on 3rd April, 2025 and attracted high schools as well as key organizations, including the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), National Employment Authority (NEA), ABSA Bank, Light for the World, Trufoods Ltd and Lubao FM Radio. It was organized by the Directorate Career Services, headed by the Director-Prof. Robert Egessa.
The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo (left) with guests during the official opening of the career fair.
“This career fair brings together the best of academia, industry and the Government to shape the future of Kenya’s workforce. The world of work is continuously changing and therefore we must rethink how we train and upskill our students in order to prepare them for the future job market,” said Mr. Barua during the official opening of the career fair. He encouraged students to be proactive, adding that as much as the job market is competitive, they are capable of developing a successful path for themselves. “As NITA, we will continue to champion skills development, industry collaborations and innovative solutions to build a stronger and more resilient workforce. Let us work together to create a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive,” he added.
The Chief Guest-Mr. Joel Barua addresses MMUST 2025 career fair participants.
Speaking during the event, the Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo pointed out that MMUST is committed to producing independent and skilled graduates, who are able to create jobs for themselves and others. “Competency-Based Curriculum is equipping learners with 21st Century skills and as a University, we are at the forefront of aligning our programmes with CBC in anticipation of the transition,” stated Prof. Shibairo, assuring high school students that MMUST is the ideal place to pursue higher education.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs)-Prof. Hussein Golicha acknowledged the Directorate of Career Services for organizing such events, saying that they have continued to provide opportunities for students to explore the evolving job market, while learning about the expectations of the industry. “MMUST recognizes the need to strengthen industry-academia partnerships in order to equip its students with the competencies necessary for success in the modern workplace. It is through these linkages that we ensure our curriculum remains relevant, our graduates remain competitive, and our industries remain innovative.”
The Director of Career Services-Prof. Robert Egessa gives his welcoming remarks at the event.
“I am delighted to welcome you to the MMUST 2025 career fair and we hope that by the end of this activity, we will have met the objective of this year’s theme. I invite you to tour the various exhibition tents including those of our University and other organizations, and explore different innovations and services,” remarked Prof. Egessa. He further commended the board of career services, chaired by Prof. Alexander Khaemba, which helped to organize the successful event. “On behalf of the Directorate of Career Services, we extend our gratitude to the organizations, schools and mentors, for honoring our invite and turning up in large numbers to support MMUST in this activity,” he added.
Mr. Chris Mureithi gives a talk at the career fair.
The Founder and CEO of Premier Consulting Group-Nairobi, Mr. Chris Mureithi, while giving a talk on ‘Personal Branding: Standing out in a Crowded Marketplace’, noted that personal branding is about shaping how other people perceive us, emphasizing that eventually, perception matches reality. “People may have tremendous potential but because of the way that they are perceived by others, they may miss the chance to use that potential,” said the MMUST Alumnus. He encouraged students to study with the mindset of solving the existing societal problems, as opposed to studying to secure jobs. “If you do this, you will forever be in business.”
A section of high school students keenly follows presentations.
Notably, the 2025 career fair included panel discussions on key sub-themes, like ‘Role of Industry in Shaping Skills Training for the 21st Century’ and ‘Choosing Careers and Skills Development Journey’. Students also had the opportunity to listen to careers talks by various personalities in the industry, and interacted with alumni from different Schools. Indeed, such events are crucial to helping students build 21st century skills, hence enhancing their preparedness for future careers.
By Wangari Wambugu and Caren Nekesa
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
