Expo targets 50,000 students who skipped university applications

A section of teachers attending the Constructor University and Imperial Education Consultants expo in Nairobi. [David Gichuru, Standard]

More than 50,000 students who qualified for university this year opted out of the application process, challenging Kenya’s 100 per cent transition policy.

The figures released by the Kenya Universities and Colleges Placement Services (KUCCPS) come as a major international education expo prepares to bring together 32 universities at Nairobi’s Sankara Hotel next week.

The free expo will seek to help students and parents navigate university choices while exposing them to courses and emerging areas such as artificial intelligence.

“Ours is to help parents and students make informed choices of the degree and universities they would like to join abroad,” said Mohammed Kamara, director of Imperial Education Services, which is organising the expo.

Kamara said the organisation does not charge students or parents for its services and wants prospective students to engage directly with university representatives before making decisions.

“We encourage students to have direct contact and meeting with the respective university representative to grow confidence and trust and to help them make the best choices,” he explained.

The expo comes as the government seeks to ensure all students who attain a minimum grade of C+ transition to university, despite thousands of eligible students failing to submit applications this year.

Imperial Education Services represents more than 400 universities in more than 20 countries, according to its officials.

For some Kenyan students, studying abroad has provided an alternative to local universities.

Castro, a Kenyan student pursuing an information technology degree at Constructor University in Germany, attended an education event in Nairobi and described the institution as an option for students seeking English-language programmes.

“Constructor University Germany is a suitable campus for the instructions are in English and the people are very friendly,” Castro noted.

He said the university has also allowed him to work while studying and offers accommodation options based on students’ budgets.

“I am also able to work in between studies, thus earning some decent money for my upkeep,” he added.

Terry Muirungi, the regional representative for Constructor University in East Africa, said some programmes cost about Sh500,000 a year, challenging the perception that overseas education is beyond the reach of many Kenyan families.

She noted that universities can also offer scholarships to high-performing students under special circumstances.

Some programmes offer dual degrees, which Muirungi said can improve graduates’ chances of securing employment.

“Today, the German economy is absorbing highly trained personnel in their companies and is good news to many,” she said during a presentation to more than 60 guidance and counselling teachers at a Nairobi hotel.

Castro secured admission through the free services offered by Imperial Education Services and said he has not regretted the decision.