MMUST-Safaricom teams during the ‘Safaricom Chapa Dimba Campus Tour’ event at the University.
One hundred (100) students from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology are set to be upskilled by Safaricom for a period of one (1) year, in a bid to build world class tech-talent in Kenya. This was evident at the Workshop organized by Safaricom, dubbed ‘Safaricom Chapa Dimba Campus Tour’, which took place at the University on Thursday, 24th August, 2023. The event, powered by Safaricom Engineering Community, was officially opened by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Solomon Shibairo. The Safaricom team was coordinated by the Western Region Marketing Lead, Mr. John Mafabi. Students were taken through several highly interactive sessions by experts from Safaricom regarding how to tap from tech-talent.
Speaking during the Workshop, Prof. Shibairo pointed out that MMUST offers a diversity of programmes in areas relevant to Safaricom’s development and technological agenda. “We have come a long way, since the days of writing letters and using telephone booths. Safaricom has been on the frontline in transforming the communication sector in Kenya and beyond. The University has worked with Safaricom before and is committed towards continued partnership on this project as well as other future programmes and activities,” said the Vice Chancellor.
The Vice Chancellor-Prof. Solomon Shibairo gives his remarks.
“We recognize that MMUST is among the leading higher education institutions in Kenya. This University is therefore important to the operations and future of Safaricom in the Western Region,” stated Mr. Mafabi. He said that Safaricom is going to nurture one hundred (100) students from MMUST, who will be selected after a series of assessments. The students earmarked for this programme will be drawn from the School of Computing and Informatics, the School of Engineering and Built Environment, and those pursuing Journalism and business courses.
Concurring with Mr. Mafabi, the Digital Delivery Lead-Safaricom Engineering Community, Ms. Naisenya Mungai added that after the one (1) year upskilling, twenty (20) students will be offered internship opportunities at Safaricom, while the remaining eighty (80) will be placed in a pool to be picked by Safaricom’s local and global partners.
The Dean- School of Computing and Informatics, Dr. Daniel Otanga, makes a presentation at the event.
In his remarks, the Dean- School of Computing and Informatics, Dr. Daniel Otanga, noted that students need to be well-versed in matters of cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and get exposed to the latest inventions in technology. “This programme by Safaricom, aligns with our programmes at MMUST, which include, Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems and Knowledge Management, and Software Development,” said Dr. Otanga.
“We are in an era that calls for students to utilize their digital skills to create jobs for themselves and become the next millionaires. MMUST boasts of graduates with an impressive set of professional, soft and multi-media skills required for today’s workplace. I applaud Safaricom for this initiative that will enable our students to take their place as world leaders in sports, business and technology,” stated the Director-Corporate Communications and Marketing, Dr. Lydia Anyonje. Dr. Anyonje was accompanied by the Marketing Officer, Mr. James Muriithi, who has been coordinating the visit by Safaricom.
A section of students during the ‘Safaricom Chapa Dimba Campus Tour’ event at MMUST.
Joint initiatives by Universities and key industry players, such as Safaricom, are critical to producing multi-skilled, well-rounded and industry-ready graduates who are able to not only compete with the best in the world, but also transform communities’ and nations’ digital futures.
By Dr. Lydia Anyonje and Wangari Wambugu
Photos by Shiundu Masafu
