UNILEVER KENYA RECOGNIZES STUDENT'S EFFORTS

Unilever Kenya got a chance to award some of the best students in The University of Nairobi in this years’ prize giving award ceremony. This year they awarded one of the best overall students in the year 2010/2011 Ms. Millicent Mapili.

In addition they awarded four categories of students namely; Outstanding Scholar Award, Marketing Prize, Business Administration Prize and Chemistry Prize.  They awarded a total of eight students. Unilever Kenya has participated in this award giving ceremony in order to maintain a good rapport with the institution and also to train the students for the job market in line with vision 2030. By this they intend to partner with the learning institutions to develop innovation. This will be achieved through awarding the best students not only wish money but also trophies.

Being one of the longest serving donors for the prize giving event, Ag. Vice-chancellor Prof. Peter Mbithi said that he would love Unilever Kenya to support the University by giving the students scholarships to further their studies, give them internships and even offer employment opportunities to them. Lastly, he urged the company to partner with the university faculty and work closely with the students so that when they graduate they are recognized as legitimate graduates and not frauds. Unilever has plans to participate in career fairs and engage with learners to share knowledge through top management speaking to students to shape their thinking.  The company has also committed to invite students for factory visits so that they can experience the realities of industry.

In a chat with Prof. Peter Mbithi I was able to discover that in order for university to achieve vision 2030, they are developing a strategic plan aligned with the new constitution. He also mentioned that a plan was underway to invite different industries and companies to join the faculty in order for them to review the curriculum so as to package the graduates well for the job market. The students are also to be involved in the review of the curriculum as well as the external examiners who set exams for the university.