Kenyatta University officially launched the Strategic Tourism Human Capital Initiative for Eastern Africa in March , aimed at enhancing youth participation in the tourism and aviation sectors. The launch event, hosted at the Kenyatta University Conference Centre, brought together government officials, academics, international experts, and university students to witness the unveiling of a comprehensive framework for building a future-ready workforce in the region’s tourism industry.
The initiative is spearheaded by the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre – Eastern Africa (GTRCMC-EA), a directorate within the University focused on capacity building, policy development, and tourism resilience. The programme introduces several action-oriented projects designed to equip youth with skills aligned with both local industry needs and international standards.
Seven key programmes were announced. Among them is the Top Talent Initiative, which will link young professionals with global remote work opportunities through ICT platforms. The East Africa Future Leaders Challenge Platform seeks to cultivate leadership and innovation among youth across the region. In addition, the Placement International Programme will offer paid internships lasting up to two years, providing essential industry exposure.
International collaboration features prominently in the strategy, with the Erasmus+ Exchange Programme opening up cultural and academic exchange between East Africa and Europe. Another major development is the establishment of an IATA Authorized Training Centre in Eastern Africa, which will provide world-class aviation and tourism training. The Innovation Centres of Excellence (ICE) and the Tourism Product and Experience Mapping initiative round out the projects, focusing on youth-led innovation and increasing the visibility of regional tourism offerings respectively.
Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife and Chair of the GTRCMC-EA Board of Governors, emphasized the importance of investing in young people as a pillar of industry transformation. She praised the Centre’s efforts in crisis management and innovation, noting that education and exposure are key to empowering a resilient workforce.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof. Waceke Wanjohi highlighted the university’s recent recognition as Kenya’s best institution in the 2024 Times Higher Education Rankings and its growing appeal to KCSE graduates. She underscored Kenyatta University’s commitment to innovation, enhanced by successful grant applications and robust campus-wide digital infrastructure.
Director of GTRCMC-EA Dr. Esther Munyiri and Ms. Andie Monet, CEO of Strategic Solutions and Development International, both affirmed the Centre’s strategic role in driving sustainable change in tourism. They called attention to the need for adaptable skills and global engagement as tourism continues to evolve in a post-pandemic world.
The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to students who had completed mentorship under the GTRCMC-EA’s training programme, signalling the practical outcomes already emerging from the initiative.
Source- University news KU
