The Unilever Idea Trophy, an inter-university innovation competition that focuses on the development of personal and entrepreneurial competencies among Kenyan undergraduates, has been launched.
Speaking during the third edition launch, Bruce Odhiambo, the chairman of the Kenya Youth Enterprise Development Fund, said the initiative will help more Kenyan youths benefit from the rapid expansion that is being experienced across Africa.
Odhiambo urged businesses to use their expertise and set aside resources to train and equip young people to fit in the changing job market.
“Kenya and Africa at large has a very large pool of talent which is ready to take the world by storm. To achieve this growth and for Africa to be a success story, we need to make sure that we are skilled and strategically placed to tap into all available opportunities,” he said.
Odhiambo noted that growth in sub-Saharan Africa is set to accelerate in 2014, buoyed by large investments in various sectors.
James Jakachira, the brand building director at Unilever East Africa said: "The Idea Trophy initiative fosters innovation and supports the government in its efforts towards national economic growth. It is open to students from five public and private universities who will be required to generate and submit innovative ideas on creating brand awareness."
The students will also need to show the growing usage of the brand among their peers in the target schools. In addition they will develop business plans while those qualifying for the final stage will present execution plans which will then be judged for the ultimate prizes.
The competition will run for a month and targets over 500 students aged 25 and below who will be required to form teams of three. The competition is open to the University of Nairobi, Kenyatta University, Strathmore University, JKUAT and Moi University.