University sets target of training job creators

While Kenyan graduates have, for years, focused on being employed by choice companies, a new approach is emerging on the scene that is likely to challenge the status quo in an apparent search for a niche.

Inoorero University, previously the Kenya School of Professional Studies, is working on building a culture of creating jobs.

Inoorero wants to make every graduate a ‘creator of jobs’ by equipping them as ready-to-go entrepreneurs, irrespective of subject.

“All things we do must promote enterprise,” says Prof Henry Thairu, the vice chancellor of the university. “We believe all our students should come out of here to create jobs, not just to seek employment.”

The emphasis on job creation comes as unemployment levels in the country approach 40 per cent of the working population.

With a student population of 1,600 and three main faculties — ICT, law and business — IU has identified a different path in equipping graduates.

“By the time students graduate, they know how to write a business proposal, business plan, how to register a company, where to source for capital and even how to talk to a bank manager,” says Prof Thairu.

Inoorero means ‘a sharpening place’ in Kikuyu.

So, while this community used inoorero to sharpen knives and blades, the university is shaping minds and skills.

With innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, the VC says, the institution is building a model that should resonate across Africa.

He says there is an urgent need for graduates — who traditionally are thinkers for the society — to change mind-set. “All things we do must promote enterprise.”

The number of enterprises generated by its graduates to compete favourably in the economy is the university objective.

“It is only through innovation mixed with entrepreneurship that we will transform our economy to a knowledge-based economy. We have all the resources we need in Kenya,” he says.

Similar programmes have been implemented elsewhere.

Google was started by students of Stanford University.