By Jacqueline Lidonde

Between July 2-5, a team from USIU-Africa comprising Jacqueline Lidonde, Head of Partnerships & External Linkages, Irene Onacha, Director, Strategic Marketing & Communication and Faith Ojwang, Admissions Officer, attended the International Consultant for Educational Fairs (ICEF) Africa event in Kigali, Rwanda, a premier gathering that brought together 166 key stakeholders in international education which included educators, agents and service providers. For the first time, 16 African universities were invited to participate in the event which has previously been dominated by universities from outside the African continent. The event offered a platform to connect with education agents, universities, and service providers from across the globe. The focus was on discussions, ideas, and the shared goal of enhancing educational experiences and opportunities for students pursuing higher education.

Throughout the event, the team engaged with numerous partners through both formal and informal networking sessions. Conversations with education agents opened doors to new student recruitment channels, while discussions with universities from different parts of the world laid the groundwork for academic collaborations and exchange programs. Meetings with education service providers revealed innovative solutions that could enhance our academics and student services.

This event provided a platform to highlight USIU-Africa's unique identity, academic offerings, and state-of-the-art facilities as a preferred university for African students. By expanding our reach, we anticipate fostering new partnerships and attracting a growing student body from across the continent. The launch of the Study in Africa initiative will further strengthen our continental presence through increased student and faculty exchanges, as well as collaborative research endeavors with other African universities.

On the last day, the team had the rewarding opportunity to have one-on-one sessions with students looking to further their higher education in bachelor's, master's, and postgraduate studies at USIU-Africa. These interactions were incredibly fulfilling, allowing us to provide guidance, answer questions, and inspire the next generation of scholars to pursue their academic ambitions at USIU-Africa.