University students have been urged to look beyond academic qualifications and equip themselves with practical skills to thrive in the competitive job market.
This was the key message delivered by Embakasi East Member of Parliament Hon. Babu Owino during an Annual Summit organized by Accounting and Finance Club at Multimedia University of Kenya on Thursday, April 9, 2026.
The summit brought together students from MMU, Chuka University, Kenyatta University, and Catholic University of Eastern Africa.
The event was held under the theme “Beyond the Degree; Building a Toolkit for Future Economy.”
Before delivering his keynote address at the summit, Babu Owino paid a courtesy call to the MMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Rosebella Maranga, where they held discussions on student development and the role of universities in preparing graduates for the job market.
Prof. Maranga emphasized the importance of servant leadership, noting that leaders must remain accessible and accountable to those they serve.
“I have talked about this. The need to practice servant leadership. The ones who have elected you, you serve them. Not when they call, you are always inaccessible yet they have a problem. I Practice the same here. If I cannot see you today, I will tell you and schedule an appointment next time. That is the way to go,” the VC explained.
In his address, the legislator challenged students to rethink the value of education in a rapidly changing world, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and practical competence.
“The future economy won’t just reward certificates, it will reward adaptability, creativity, and real-world problem solving,” said Owino.
“Build your toolkit early: skills, networks, discipline, and the courage to learn, unlearn, and reinvent.”
Also present was Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation Prof. Livingstone Ngoo, MMU Accounting and Finance Club Patron Mr. Jackson Mutua, Dean of Students Dr. Paul Obonyo, Chief Finance Officer Dr. Grace Kakiya.
