The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Henry Thairu hosted the 6th Students Innovation Forum on Tuesday 20th July 2010. The guests included Dr. Dinah Mwinzi (PhD), Director for Youth and Training, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Ms. Jacqueline Machaka, winner of the 2007 “Chora Bizna” business plan writing competition.

Dr. Mwinzi gave a talk on the positioning of the youth in the realization of the Kenya Vision 2030. She gave some astonishing facts about the growth of the Kenya population which she said should be taken in positively as population growth means a larger market for innovative ideas and business ventures. She also stated that the youth fund is ready to offer support to anyone who comes up with initiatives that are geared towards alleviating the problem of joblessness among the youth of the Kenya

Ms. Jacqueline Machaka gave her brief history on how she ventured into entrepreneurship at a very early age. “I used to supply chicken to the Nyayo Stadium Cafeteria while I was still a student at Strathmore University,” she mentioned. All through her presentation she emphasized on the importance of identifying business ventures that seek to offer solutions to problems, not symptoms. Jacqueline has over the years risen through ranks in business and at a very young age, she now owns a company called Language Solutions, where she has employed over 30 young people.
“I am in awe! I need to digest all that slowly,” exclaimed David Mwaura, a 2nd year law student at the end of the forum. He said he has been challenged a great deal and feels captivated to engage and research on ways he can be innovative and use the skills he is acquiring to set up enterprises that seek to address real problems

The 7th Innovation forum will be held in September. More details to be communicated soon.

For a full profile on Dr. Dinah Mwinzi (PhD), click here