On March 28, the School of Graduate Studies held a Grad Connect event bringing together graduates, students, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, and development partners for networking, knowledge exchange, pitching sessions, and career development. Held at Safari Park Hotel, the occasion attracted vendors who showcased their products and services. Themed: Connections to Impact: Turning Research into Real-World Solutions, the event emphasized bridging academia and industry, supporting students’ research on mentorship, scaling the projects up, fostering entrepreneurship, teaming up for innovation, personal branding, and future-ready skills in the context of the 5th industrial revolution and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era.

There was strong emphasis on intentional and strategic networking, relationship-building, first impressions, effective communication, and follow-ups; high-level industry participation and concrete collaboration opportunities, including David Wainaina, Chief Operations Officer, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), expressing interest in partnering with Eco-Pave Africa; Mental health integration – the Global Peace Foundation announced plans to incorporate counselling services into one of its programs, supported by Faith Bosire, a Master’s student pursuing Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy; and focus on solving real-world problems through design thinking, innovation, start-ups, and harnessing emerging technologies such as AI.

The main topics of discussion included, building authentic relationships and partnerships based on value and alignment with success; personal branding, communication, self-awareness, and leadership in a dynamic labor market; innovation, design thinking, and responding to tangible needs in a tech-driven world; future-readiness: adapting to the 5th Industrial Revolution, AI, and changing workforce realities; and academia-industry linkages, practical skill application, and valuing all forms of work.

Speaking during the event, Professor Mwenda Ntarangwi, Vice Chancellor, highlighted the foundations of meaningful connections, citing that contacts are built on relations first. “First impressions matter greatly,” he emphasized. He stressed the need for the right words so people remember you, the importance of follow-ups, and deliberate relationship-building. On partnerships, he noted that partners come because there is value and that partners want to be aligned with successful people and institutions.

Delivering the keynote address, Paul Kasimu, Chairperson, University Council and Founder& CEO, CSuite Impact Consulting, spoke about culture, language, rituals, symbols, and virtues. He shared practical guidance on how to make sense of the day through four cardinal points – reflection, looking for patterns, developing your own narrative, and disrupting yourself. Drawing from his 15+ years in the human resource field, including his engagements at Safaricom and Standard Chartered, he urged graduates to be future-ready for the 5th Industrial Revolution, to become disruptors, and be unique. Paul emphasized self-awareness as a critical skill and highlighted the importance of creative thinking, analytical thinking, and learning agility.

The event also featured discussions on intentional networking as a deliberate and strategic practice. Faculty members were challenged to actively support professional courses that add value to students’ career paths. There was a strong emphasis on solving real-world problems and developing tangible solutions through design thinking strategies, passion-driven innovation, and the creation of start-ups that address genuine needs. Additionally, while discussing how strategic networking responds to tangible needs and effective pitching techniques, participants were advised to ensure that they are remembered for something, speak with confidence, and take full advantage of the tech revolution by learning how to harness AI.

Furthermore, the importance of identifying what to invest in and how to engage effectively with the securities exchange was discussed as attendees were introduced to NSE initiatives such as Ziidi Trader to facilitate broader access to the market. They were also encouraged to create new opportunities by leveraging the huge data resources available at the NSE. Describing the dynamic nature of today’s labour market, a call was made for transformation in higher education to better align with workforce needs and urged a change in mindset about work. Jobs such as plumbing and garbage collection should not be dismissed, because while they may be undervalued in Africa, they are considered important and respectable in many Western countries. Lastly, emphasis was made on clear communication and articulating who you are and what you stand for. It is essential to develop the efficacy to do things for themselves, build strong character, and establish solid value systems.

Grad Connect 2026 proved to be a highly impactful platform that combined inspiration, practical skills, and tangible collaboration opportunities. With powerful insights from senior academic leaders, human resource experts, industry heads, and emerging voices, the event equipped attendees with the mindset and tools needed to thrive in Kenya’s evolving economy. The presence of 5 vendors, high-profile speakers, and announced partnerships (NSE–Eco-Pave Africa and Global Peace Foundation counselling initiative) underscored the event’s role as a catalyst for graduate empowerment, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.