By Jemima Oloo

On July 30, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program held an alumni-networking event at Trademark Hotel, Nairobi, themed “One Network, Infinite Pathways,” aimed at providing a platform for learning, networking, and impactful conversations.

In his keynote address, Mr. Sachen Gudhka, Managing Director of Skanem Africa, underscored the power of networking, communication, problem solving and adaptability, teamwork, emotional intelligence, and the relevance of digital skills and AI literacy in today’s world.

“Do not compete with AI. Learn to prompt effectively, and importantly, learn how to automate repetitive tasks,” he urged. Sachen further advised on the use of AI today as a tool that helps to improve the quality of work. Additionally, he encouraged the young scholars to embrace social responsibility and give back to their communities.

Furthermore, he illustrated the power of people and strategic evaluation in career growth using the analogy of a bus. In a bus, we ought to have the right people seated in the right seats, and at the same time, get the wrong people off the bus. His analogy demonstrated the need for self-evaluation.

The event featured a dynamic panel discussion with key industry leaders, whose insights offered practical strategies for career growth and development. The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including the critical role of soft skills, the importance of strategic preparation, and the value of policy reviews, reforms, and robust legal frameworks. Panelists emphasized the need for candidates to display quantifiable achievements during the job search process, possess a basic understanding of labor laws, and advocate for diversity, inclusion, and gender pay equality in the workplace.

The event culminated with the launch of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network at USIU-Africa, with initial members of the network being Cohort One of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, who graduated on October 12, 2024, during the university's 46th Commencement Ceremony.

The event was a testament to the meaningful interconnected networks forged through USIU-Africa.