The Global Peace Foundation in partnership with Airtel Kenya has organised a four-day Innovators Boot Camp to mentor and reward students.
Dubbed ‘Raising Moral and Innovative Leaders for Economic Independence’, the programme is targeting students from top schools in the country and aims at exposing up to 60 Leap Hubs Students to mentor-ship and constructive criticism which will nurture best ideas for an investment opportunity.
Speaking to over 1,000 students at Alliance Girls High School during the opening of the programme, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joseph Mucheru said innovation in the technology sector and entrepreneurship are now the drivers of economic growth, therefore schools should embrace technology.
“When we embrace innovative technology we give our students platform to create an impact in the life of not only them but a bigger population,” Mucheru said.
He said mentorship programme of such calibre, need private sector players and investors to put more support through financial and resources.
Global Peace Foundation Executive Director Daniel Juma said that the idea is geared towards fostering future leaders with upright morals and innovative mind-set.
“We are redefining the approach towards peace building, entrepreneurship, guided by our vision, “One family under God” while promoting good morals among the young innovative leaders, with simpler and more efficient understanding of innovation trends,” he said, adding “It’s time our children should be introduced to new technology to succeed at all levels.”
Juma said Innovative Boot Camp will enable students participate in a highly focused team building, and develop a pitch for innovative thinkers.
GPF Patron and Philanthropist Dr Manu Chandaria has promised one million shillings to buy laptops for all innovative students while KCB Bank Chief executive Joshua Oigara said the Bank will provide scholarships for qualified innovative students, offering learning materials and employment under their youth employment programme under 2Jiajiri.
“There is a lack of available jobs suited to entry level skills due to mismatch between the number of student seeking work and their level of economic activities, adding that empowering youth to become self-reliant, will ultimately lead to a meaningful business,” said Chandaria
Statistics shows that in Kenya, 75 percent of new post-secondary graduates fail to find jobs in the highly competitive labour market; employers cite lack of 21st-century skills as the critical issue.
Oigara said the Bank will provide scholarships for qualified innovative students, offering learning materials and employment under their youth employment programme under 2Jiajiri.