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UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI SEPTEMBER 2019 VarsityFA magazineocus of the University of Nairobi A Strong Corporate Culture UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI Our Vision A world-class university committed to scholarly excellence Our Mission To provide quality university education and training and to embody the aspirations of the Kenyan people and the global community through creation, preservation, integration, transmission and utilization of knowledge. Our Core Values • Freedom of thought and expression • Excellence • Care • Good governance • Innovativeness and creativity • Partnership and teamwork ISO 9001:2015 CERTIFIED VarsityFocus I N S I D E Prof. Isaac Mbeche takes over as UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI Acting Vice-Chancellor VarsityFocus 6 Published by Office of the Vice-Chancellor Director of Corporate Affairs University of Nairobi P.O. Box 30197 - 00100 Nairobi RADA App launched Tel: 020 4913193 during Nairobi Email: [email protected] www.uonbi.ac.ke Innovation Week 2019 15 Copyright University of Nairobi, 2019 All rights reserved Editor John A.O. Orindi, mCIPR EACC hands back Consulting Editor grabbed land to Otuma Ongalo UoN 25 Editorial Team Mariam Maina , mCIPR Peter Muturi Johnson Kinyua Brian Ouma Dr. James Michira UNSA outgoing team Esther Nekesa officially hands over Peter Oluoch to the sitting UNSA Naomi Nyaboga B.D Njuguna council Julius Thuranira 40 Caroline Githinji Silas Katam Photography Charles Muriuki Kevin Wamola Students interact Peter Oluoch with industry during Creative Design AIESEC Week Kevin Wamola 42 www.uonbi.ac.ke 1 VarsityFocus Editorial team John A.O. Orindi, mCIPR Otuma Ongalo Editor Consulting Editor Editorial Team Mariam Maina , mCIPR Peter Muturi Johnson Kinyua Brian Ouma Dr. James Michira Corporate Affairs Ag. Registrar Administration Career Services Office Advancement Office Vice Chancellor’s Office Esther Nekesa Peter Oluoch Naomi Nyaboga B.D Njuguna Silas Katam Corporate Affairs Corporate Affairs Career Services Office Planning Division Procurement Division Caroline Githinji Julius Thuranira Charles Muriuki Kevin Wamola Corporate Affairs Corporate Affairs Photographer Photgrapher/Creative Designer 2 www.uonbi.ac.ke VarsityFocus Editor’s note The jobs and skills for the future he issues of jobs and skills for the future featured with relevant education and skills. It is envisaged that the prominently during the 9th edition of Nation Thought period up to 2023 is going to experience an upsurge in Leadership Forum (NLF) organized by the University global demand for the following jobs: Data Analysts and T th of Nairobi (UoN) and the Nation TV (NTV) on 29 July Scientists, Customer Service workers, Software and 2019. The huge interest generated by these subjects were Application developers, Innovation Managers, Artificial evident from the heavy attendance of the forum and the and Machine learning technologists, Sales and lively exchanges between the audience and the panelists. Marketing Professionals, Big Data Specialists, Process People who want to pursue lucrative careers in the future automation experts, Robotics Engineers, Block Chain must focus their efforts in solving future global problems specialists, e-commerce and Social Media Specialists. and also leverage on opportunities created by the The demand for the following jobs is however expected to emerging rapid technologies that will drive business remain stable: Petroleum and Natural Gas Plant during the Fourth Industrial Revolution . operators, Financial and Investment Advisors, Database The time for Kenya to start earnest preparation for and Network professionals, Information Security competent and skilled workforce is now! Research Analysts, Robotics Engineers, Energy and Petroleum indicate that in the next decade, technological Engineers, Electro technology Engineers, Climate innovations and subsequent disruption will lead to Change specialists, Chemical Engineers, University and massive job losses rendering more than half of the current Higher Education teachers. occupations irrelevant. The work environment will be In Kenya the following sectors or industries will have high marked by widespread use potential for jobs in future of Artificial Intelligence and by the year 2022:Health Robots. According to and health care, Oil and McKinsey Global Institute Gas, Energy utilities , Report of November 2017, The time for Kenya to start Financial and investor 35 per cent of the current services, Mining, Creative jobs will be automated with earnest preparation for Industry and entertainment, serious negative and competent and skilled I n f r a s t r u c t u r e, A g ro - positive impacts on global p r o c e s s i n g a n d employment situation. workforce is now! manufacturing, Information About 400-800 million jobs a n d Co m m u n i c a t i o n s could be lost through Technology , Transport and automation by the year logistics. 2030. Our graduates must Universities, the Industry therefore strive to stay ahead of the curve by acquiring and the government must therefore rethink on the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the future work educational and workforce training models and align environment. Policy makers must also make the necessary them to the development needs to avoid wastage and adjustments for the labour market to produce workers with frustration of manpower in future. The VF team wishes to the right skills and support. encourage policy makers, training institutions, students, The critical skills required for future work include learners and job seekers to observe the unfolding trends in Creativity, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), Analytical the job market with keen interests and create the right Thinking, Active learning with good mindset, judgment environment for future jobs. and decision making, Interpersonal communication skills, leadership skills, Diversity and cultural intelligence and adaptability to change. The emerging contours of the future work environment JOHN A.O. ORINDI, mCIPR bring the reality of vast global opportunities for people DIRECTOR, CORPORATE AFFAIRS / VF EDITOR www.uonbi.ac.ke 3 VarsityFocus Vice-Chancellor’s message with the prevailing constitutional becoming a world class university o r d e r a n d o t h e r n a t i o n a l committed to scholarly excellence, we development blueprints including the must acknowledge the various Vision 2030 and the government's challenges that we face. The Big Four Agenda that prioritizes perennial problem of diminishing affordable housing, food security, exchequer funding is a real challenge universal health care and enhanced to quality learning, teaching and manufacturing capacity. Therefore, research. Government funding is at guided by the Strategic Plan, the the lowest point in the last ten years. University will continue to orientate its Secondly, the higher education sector core businesses of teaching and is becoming highly competitive and learning, research, innovation and d y n a m i c b o t h l o c a l l y a n d enterprise towards the attainment of internationally – and this is reflected these noble goals. in the dwindling student enrolment The University of Nairobi remains and the attendant reduction of committed to continue producing revenue. Both of these factors Prof. Isaac M. Mbeche, high quality holistic graduates for d e m a n d t h a t t h e U n ive r s i t y Ag. Vice-Chancellor local and international job markets, community and management as well n pursuit of its desire to attain businesses and industry. We continue as our partners and stakeholders world class excellence, the to forge partnerships and linkages ought to explore alternative sources IUniversity of Narobi remains both locally and internationally of financing university activities. committed and focused in its core through joint research initiatives, I thank our students and staff for their mission of providing quality university student and staff exchanges and dedication and commitment without education and training that other forms of collaborations. Our which the University would not be embodies the aspirations of the academic staff continue to provide where it is right now. I also appreciate Kenyan people and the global excellent leadership in innovation the continued support that we keep community through the creation, and attracting international research receiving from the government of p r e s e r v a t i o n , i n t e g r a t i o n , grants. The University of Nairobi is Kenya, our local and international transmission and utilization of the only public institution which has partners as well as all well-wishers. I knowledge. Towards accomplishing attained the 'excellent' rank since the would like to assure all stakeholders this mission, the University has roll out of performance contracting that the University of Nairobi will undertaken deliberate steps and by the government. As Vice continue to play its role in ensuring plans key among which is the Chancellor, I wish to maintain this quality and equity in higher development and launch of the p e r f o r m a n c e a n d c o n t i n u e education, research and innovation Strategic Plan 2018 – 2023. The cascading this to the lower as a contribution to national Strategic Plan is a bold yet ambitious administrative units. Furthermore, the development as we seek solutions to statement that identifies key pillars University continues to provide a the various challenges the world and themes upon which operations of platform from where renowned and faces in the 21st Century. the University will be predicated in its accomplished leaders in academia, desire to attain world class status. industry, business and governance Other than providing guidelines for have come to articulate their insights ISAAC M. MBECHE, PhD, FKIM, internal operations, stakeholder and experiences for the benefit of our engagement and international students, staff and country as a AG. VICE CHANCELLOR collaborations, the Strategic Plan is whole. AND PROFESSOR OF designed to anchor the mandate and Although the University of Narobi MANAGEMENT SCIENCE activities of the University of Narobi remains committed to its vision of 4 www.uonbi.ac.ke UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI VarsityFocus Cover story Prof.