Students challenged to embrace AI + Networking.

This was the rallying call at the Project Management Institute Youth Forum held at the Manu Chandaria Auditorium on October 4, 2025.

Maureen Ochang', President PMI Kenyan Chapter noted that mentorship is very good as it provides guidance to the mentees. “Goal is give you clarity, confidence, competence,” he said.  

Prof. Stephen Odock, Chairman, Department of Management Science and Project Planning, took the opportunity to elaborate the various programs offered at the Department and the good working collaboration with PMI Kenya which resulted in the hosting of the Project Management event which brought together professionals and students from over 10 universities to the University of Nairobi.

 Professor Odock urged students to embrace networking and mentorship as these are some of the things they lacked as students.  

Lessie Roberts, President of Project Management Association, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, University of Nairobi also urged students to tap into the wealth of experience by the elders in the Project Management community. 

Associate Dean, Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Reuben Kikwatha, who was speaking on behalf of the Dean, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, thanked PMI Kenya for partnering with the Faculty. He also thanked the speakers, panelists for their passion to nurture the youth. 

“This is very timely. The world of work changing rapidly with automation, AI, digital platforms,” he said.

He added that adaptability, will be the true currency for success. He noted that this is a great opportunity for youth empowerment and the future of work. In his concluding remarks, he observed that empowerment is about empowering youth, creating platforms for innovation, mentorships and leaderships,

Faith Wawira Nyaga, the keynote speaker during the event challenged the young people to embrace artificial intelligence as many tasks will be automated. “AI will not eliminate jobs, but many things will be done through automation,” she said. She challenged the students to be ready for massive reskilling and learning.

“Professionals with AI skills are being paid more.  Start the journey yourself to learn these AI skills and AI tools. You need skills for the Future. Some of them are: technical skills, digital literacy, human skills, cognitive skills, “ she observed.  

Essentials Skills for AI that were mentioned include: basic coding, AI tool proficiency, data literacy, Automation platforms, prompt engineering. Students were also challenged to learn human skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, adaptability and communication. Students were told to learn AI tools like: Perplexity, Interview Coach, Google Studio AI, Julius AI among others.