KIPPRA, in collaboration with Pwani University, hosted the KIPPRA Mentorship Programme for Universities (KMPUs) on 23rd and 24th November 2022. The exciting two-day event attracted students and faculty members from the university and staff and students from neighbouring learning institutions such as Rejoice Youth Community Based Organization as well as Mkwajuni and Kakuyuni Polytechnics. A number of KMPUs alumni from various universities also joined the event.
To start the programme, Dr Nancy Nafula, Ag Deputy Director, Capacity Building Department, gave an overview of KMPUs, its objectives and the institutions KIPPRA partners with to successfully deliver the programme. Dr Nafula noted that KIPPRA works with the National Youth Council, Youth Enterprise Development Fund, National Gender and Equality Commission, Directorate of National Cohesion and Values, State Department for Planning and the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), SME Support Centre and expert HR professionals to deliver the programme.
Prof. Stephen Muoki, who represented the Vice Chancellor, gave welcoming remarks and thanked KIPPRA for choosing Pwani University. He expressed the university’s support and committed to more fruitful engagements given the MoU that had been signed between the two institutions. Prof. Muoki said the programme would help staff members and students to think about research activities that can inform the policy-making process in the University and Government.
On her side, the KIPPRA Executive Director Dr Rose Ngugi thanked the university administration for the opportunity to host the KMPUs and all the participants for heeding the call to attend the event. Dr Ngugi gave a brief introduction of the KMPUs, which has so far impacted more than 14 private and public universities around the country. She highlighted other capacity building programmes offered by the Institute, including the Young Professionals Programme, which she encouraged the students to aspire to join. She also invited the university faculty and staff to participate in the Institute’s upcoming annual regional conference.
The first presentation was done by KIPPRA Senior Policy Analyst Dr Eliud Moyi, who took the participants through the public policy making process. This was followed by an exciting and animated student public policy debate on the theme: Kenya has the potential than barriers to build an inclusive society through effective planning and implementation of national and county development priorities. Moderated by Senior Policy Analyst Mr Victor Mose, the students displayed their oratory prowess and broad understanding of the subject, captivating the audience.
Ms Linda Anyango, who is the SME Support Center CEO discussed the link between innovation, entrepreneurship, and the government’s development agenda. Ms Judith Onyango from the State Department for Economic Planning presented on the government’s planning process and its role in national development. To explain the government opportunities for youth empowerment and financing were Ms Sandra Konene from the National Youth Council and Ms Mary Wambua from Youth Enterprise Development Fund.
Ms Irene Miako, an HR expert, spoke to the students about professional development, growth and opportunities for youth – college transition and career networking while Mr Hamisi Dzole from the National Gender and Equality Commission taught on the government’s gender mainstreaming initiatives.
The event was punctuated by several entertainment pieces, including poems, dances, Taekwondo displays and excellent singing by the university choir. The event also saw the award of certificates to students who participated in essay writing and the policy debate.
In his closing remarks, the KIPPRA Board Chair Dr Benson Ateng’ thanked the university for hosting KIPPRA and the KIPPRA Executive Director and staff for the effort towards the successful event. He encouraged the students to tap into the Institute’s capacity building programmes by joining the policy clubs and actively participating in the public policy engagements and discourse.
