How Zetech is enriching campus experience with research and talent development

Zetech holistic

Zetech University Vice-Chancellor Professor Njenga Munene (second left) and the Dean of Students Ms. Elizabeth Muhia (left), with President and Secretary-General of Kenya Footballers Welfare Association Mr James Situma (second right) and Mr Jerry Santo (right) respectively, after signing an agreement together with Brigher Monday to empower sportsmen and women with management skills, besides providing attachment and internship opportunities to students.

A holistic university experience is not only built on academic training, but also on co-curricular activities students engage in during their time on campus.

Zetech University has raised the bar in this area. The university leverages technology, collaboration and experience to establish a fulfilling campus experience for its growing student base.

Training students beyond the classroom in community engagement and social development, Zetech is determined to create a learning environment that teaches students to not only thrive in business and work, but also in life.

“Universities play a major role in the development of an integrative community, and this demands that we groom graduates who excel academically, socially and in talent-centred programmes through CSR initiatives and club activities,” says Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics, Research, Extension and Student Affairs, Dr Alice Njuguna.

She noted that this perspective triggered the institution to establish a sports scholarship programme that doubles up as community service, as it enables talented but less privileged students to access quality higher education while growing their sporting skills. Through this, the Zetech football ladies team captain Puren Alukwe and striker Faith Machora were called up to the ladies national football team, the Harambee Starlets.

“Our talent management programme has seen us invest millions and build lasting collaborations to ensure our sportsmen and women grow their skills while studying. For instance, our partnership with the Kenya Footballers Welfare Association (KEFWA) has seen us grow the number of players we bring on board, providing to them the opportunities they need to excel,” says Dr Njuguna. 

Additionally, the university launched mandatory entrepreneurship classes for all students to prepare them to become distinguished market leaders and employers. According to the Vice-Chancellor Prof Njenga Munene, teaching entrepreneurship is a way of empowering trainees to become innovative and creative. Integrating business classes with research activities results in producing innovative and self-reliant graduates.

He explains: “To complement the academic experience, we have increased focus on research and innovation, training students to think critically and develop solutions that address national and global challenges.”

Prof Munene continues: “Some of our graduates have built innovations that give them a platform to grow and contribute to economic growth. An example is MograSchool, an online learning platform for primary and secondary schools, built by our graduate Fabrice Mugabe. Moreover, our annual research conferences and training workshops bring together government leaders, scholars and corporate influencers, giving learners the much-needed networking and mentorship opportunities they can leverage on now and after they graduate.”

As the university brings in more students and the right personnel to train them, it is keen on continually working with industry players to enrich the Zetech campus experience.