By Julian Ndombi

Placement and Career and Career Services (PACS) Department in collaboration with Gender Equity and Protection office hosted ASIS-International, a membership organization for security management professionals, for an information session with students pursing cybersecurity, criminal justice and international relations studies and attracted a total of 138 students and 12 staff members. The team led by the chairperson, Kenya chapter, Mr. Simon Karuki (Director of Security at Coca-Cola Africa) highlighted the numerous strategic benefits of registering as an ASIS member which include scholarships, access to national, regional and international conferences, internship opportunities and networking platform. In addition, ASIS International offers professional certification programs that are globally recognized and can give the students a competitive edge in the job market.

Welcoming the initiative, Prof. Amos Njuguna, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Transformative Teaching, Learning and Research reiterated that the partnership between ASIS and USIU-Africa has the potential to reshape how security and management are approached, both in theory and in practice. He added that universities, as centers of research and learning, have an important role to play in driving the future of the security profession by equipping students with both the technical and soft skills they need to excel. Further, Prof. Amos Njuguna pointed out that the dynamic nature of global security challenges demands that educational programs stay current with emerging trends and technologies. By working closely with ASIS, USIU-Africa will ensure courses will be updated and refined, empowering graduates to tackle contemporary security issues.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor- Student Life, Dr. Victor Boiyo welcomed the partnership as powerful platform that gives students exposure to the real challenges and solutions they will encounter once they enter the workforce. He said that USIU–Africa students aspiring to work in security- related fields will acquire much-needed insights and wealth of experience from ASIS International.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Mahmoud Hussein, Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences noted that access to professional certifications offered by ASIS is a milestone that students and faculty need to embrace as their place in career growth cannot be over emphasized.