THARA NITHI, Kenya – University students have been urged to look beyond academic qualifications and acquire additional skills that can improve their competitiveness in the international job market.
The Vice Chancellor of Tharaka University, Prof. Peter Muriungi, says proficiency in foreign languages could give Kenyan graduates an advantage when seeking employment opportunities abroad, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Speaking during the university’s orientation programme for newly admitted students, Prof. Muriungi challenged first-year students to begin building their professional profiles early rather than waiting until graduation to prepare for the job market.
He said the university was already witnessing the benefits of efforts to link students with international employment opportunities, citing the recent movement of a group of students to Germany.
According to Prof. Muriungi, acquiring an additional language alongside a university degree can make graduates more competitive, especially in industries that involve regular interaction with international clients, employers and business partners.
He encouraged hospitality students to combine their academic training with foreign-language studies, saying the approach could open up opportunities beyond Kenya.
“These courses in hospitality with a foreign language component will get you from Tharaka University to the world,” Prof. Muriungi said.
The Vice Chancellor also encouraged students pursuing other disciplines to acquire professional certifications, technical competencies and practical skills that complement their academic qualifications.
He further challenged the students to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation by identifying challenges within their communities and developing solutions capable of attracting both local and international markets.
Prof. Muriungi cited innovations developed by students at the university, including a poultry vaccine and an artificial intelligence project that has received international recognition.
Meanwhile, Deputy Eastern Regional Police Commander Amos Ambasa cautioned the newly admitted students against indiscipline, warning that misconduct could have consequences extending beyond their university years.
Ambasa urged students experiencing academic, financial or personal challenges to seek assistance from university authorities and counselling services instead of allowing such difficulties to interfere with their studies.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining a clean record and making responsible choices, noting that students’ conduct could affect their future education, employment and professional opportunities.
The officials’ message comes at a time when Kenyan graduates are increasingly seeking opportunities beyond the domestic labour market, making additional professional, technical and language skills an important consideration for young people preparing for employment.
For students at Tharaka University, the emphasis is clear: a degree may open the door, but practical skills, professional credentials, innovation and the ability to communicate across cultures could determine how far they go.
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