BUOYE, Kisumu East -The African Talent University (TATU) has officially launched its National Career Day drive, an ambitious initiative aimed at boosting student enrollment for its upcoming September intake and raising awareness across the Nyanza and Western Kenya regions.
The inaugural event, held on August 7, 2026, at the university’s Buoye campus, drew over 300 parents, students, and community visitors.
Attendees were guided through the course selection process on the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) portal.
Speaking during the drive, Dr Redemptah Yeda, the Acting Vice-Chancellor at TATU, highlighted the drive’s core objective: building regional awareness around alternative, practical education pathways.
”We are offering a unique, blended model of education that combines talent-based learning, experiential training, and conventional academics,” Dr Yeda explained.
Dr Yeda urged applicants to utilize the KUCCPS portal to enroll in both undergraduate and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses hosted at the university.
”This National Career Day will run throughout August, taking place every Friday. After this series concludes, our full focus will shift to admissions and intake,” she added, noting that the campus currently boasts the capacity to host between 500 and 800 students with fully equipped classrooms and hostel facilities.
The recruitment drive received a significant boost from local leaders. John Obote Miruka, the Chief of Kawino South Location, actively participated alongside a delegation of 200 youths, 200 community members, and students from Kandaria Mixed, Ndoro Mixed, and Ugenya Mixed Secondary Schools.
Chief Miruka emphasized that youth require exposure to innovative educational models like Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and talent-focused learning to thrive beyond standard academic routes.
”Many people still believe white-collar jobs are the only way to earn a living,” Chief Miruka observed. “With talent, you become self-employed. The traditional job market is stretched, but talent-based skills open up endless possibilities. You can employ yourself and create opportunities for others.”
Echoing these views, Francis Ogelo Uriga, an education trainer from Kawino South, stressed the importance of reassuring parents that every child, regardless of their academic grade possesses practical talent.
”Whether a student scores a D, D-, or C, there is always a practical skill they can master, be it electrical wiring or modern farming,” Ogelo noted. “The job market requires us to create opportunities ourselves rather than waiting for the government.”
The event drew praise from child development practitioners and parents alike. James Sapoko, an employee at St. Barnabas Child Development Centre, advocated for continuous youth exposure to practical skills.
”The world is shifting away from traditional white-collar aspirations,” Sapoko said. “We must focus on what young people can actually do, their passion and hidden potential.”
Prompted by the day’s insights, local community worker and parent Julius Kweya committed to taking the message directly back to his neighborhood and school board.
”I am taking the initiative to sit down with my fellow parents and teachers at Nduru Mixed,” Kweya shared. “We need to encourage our children so they know they are capable of building meaningful livelihoods through their own hands.”
