MKU AND AG-CAREER HUB PARTNER TO HOST A CAREER FAIR TO DELIBERATE ON EMERGING OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD

Mount Kenya University (MKU) in collaboration with AG-Career Hub  (a German networking platform)  is set to host a Career Fair on 17^th August, 2023 at the  Mwai Kibaki Convention Centre in Thika. The event dubbed ‘Career Fair 2023’ has been organized to share information on how Kenyan students can  tap into career opportunities in Germany and Austria. AG-Career Hub is a network for Kenyan professionals based in Germany.

The event will be opened officially at 10.30 am by MKU founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors Prof. Simon Gicharu followed by keynote speeches from the Kenyan Consul in Berlin, Germany. Delivering keynote speeches will be the Kenyan ambassador to Japan and Edith Otiende of  Diaspora alliance 360° Germany. The fair comes as a result of a partnership between MKU and Hochschule. The university has also inked a partnership with Lebenshilf in Tirol that will see bachelor of science in nursing (BScN) graduates offered opportunities to work in Austria.

Academic relationships between Africa and Europe

The academic relationship between Africa and Europe has  facilitated  great opportunities for students, young scientists and professionals to advance   their careers  through scholarship grants and self-sponsorships, exchange programmes as well as   collaborations between universities. Every year,  thousands of students have the opportunity to pursue their studies abroad, besides  working  or participating   in exchange programmes. 

Labour market crisis

 Germany, Europe’s biggest economy is facing labour crisis in several sectors of its economy. Companies across many sectors have been struggling to fill in positions for suitable workforce. According to “Make it in Germany”, the central and official portal for skilled professionals from abroad, top professions affected are in the healthcare, sciences and engineering fields. Due to these factors, many companies are forced to outsource foreign workers from abroad to fill in the gaps. Given Kenya’s high education standards, graduates from the country are always in demand by most of multi-national companies.

It’s in line with this that MKU has begun various programmes to prepare students for opportunities in Germany and Austria. The recent partnership between MKU and Hochschule Koblenz is aimed at preparing students interested in pursuing apprenticeship programmes in Germany.

Diaspora communities

The diaspora communities based in these foreign countries have been keen on establishing academic and business collaborations between their mother lands and countries of residence, with the goal of initiating win-win collaborations. The communities are keen on ensuring that proper recruitment and on-boarding programmes are implemented to focus on hire retention and productivity. That is why AG-Career Hub initiated by Kenyan Diaspora Community in Germany as an information and consulting platform for Kenyan professionals.

AG-Career Hub together with diaspora initiatives in Germany have been actively involved in offering information, pre-boarding, on-boarding, intercultural training  and legal support to companies, organizations and  people looking for these opportunities in both countries.

The firm  has been actively involved in building bridges between Germany and Kenya with a key focus on establishing linkages to facilitate partnerships and collaborations with companies, universities and diaspora communities in Germany as well as in Africa. The network is made up of companies, students and professionals who studied, trained, worked in Germany and those in self-employment. Other members have relocated back to their home country.

 AG-Career Hub has initiated several partnerships with universities, companies and organisations between Germany and Kenya. Some  of the latest partnerships include: collaboration between Mount Kenya University and Hochschule Koblenz, collaboration with African Experts Vermittlungsagentur, African Nurses/Pfleger in Germany, Market Entry for Mr. Signal GmbH, Scholarships through European Business University of Luxembourg, business Grants through WIDU.africa and a partnership with 360° Labour Mobility Migration Alliance based in Munich.