Kenyan students meet prospective Chinese employers

Professor Peter Mbithi, the vice-chancellor at the University of Nairobi, said the job fair presented a medium for students to build their social partnerships for better skills and job opportunities.

"As job seekers and aspiring entrepreneurs, you can easily interact with multiple organizations within a single setting, thus saving your time and resources," he said.

Being an open fair with recruiters, Mbithi said students had been offered the best opportunity to showcase their related abilities, commitment, knowledge and relevant skills that will enable them to earn a consideration or referral in the organizations present in the fair.

He said the university was grateful to the Chinese embassy and enterprises for their constant support.

"I request Chinese enterprises to build the partnership into an annual event. Participating in this fair offers you an opportunity for more brand visibility and presents a chance for people to learn facts and general information about your company. It also gives you an upper hand to get access to qualified candidates long before graduation," he said.

He said the opportunity encourages suitable candidates to apply for appropriate vacancies, thus giving the companies the ability to select the best human resources from a large pool of new talent.

He said the event came at the best moment, as the university is structuring its strategic plan for 2018-23. The strategic plan focuses on strengthening the university's critical contributions to sustainable development through its core academic function of research and teaching. This is in addition to amplifying the focus on employability to improve graduates' skills and capacities.

"In line with our strategic plan, the job fair plays an important role in offering increased insights into the development of undergraduate and postgraduate curricula in order to boost our training, to match the students' skills gains and the labor market," he said.

Additionally, this is to better reflect the broad range of available careers to increase alternative career choices and boost students' careers trajectories after employment.

Beatrice Elachi, the Nairobi county speaker, thanked the Chinese embassy and university for giving the students an opportunity to meet prospective employers.

"Through the recruitments, I wish that Chinese enterprises will get good lawyers who will guide them in understanding the country's bylaws," she said.

Lawrence Ouma, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and conflict and peace management, said the job fair provided a golden opportunity for students to identify career opportunities that they can flourish in.

Ouma, who expects to graduate in the middle of next year, is hoping to secure a job opportunity at the Chinese embassy in Kenya.

"Technology-wise, Chinese enterprises are quite advanced and I would wish to work with a Chinese employer," he says.