The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Club Leaders Participate in a Public Forum at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) Club Leaders Moses Mwangi, Ian Kigen and Rose Maina accompanied by the Head of the International Office Dr. Ann Kirugumi participated in a Stakeholders Forum for the review and validation of the Kenya Foreign Policy organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya.
The Forum was attended by various stakeholders who included Universities students and staff, Foreign Missions, Development Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Ministry Officials among other key stakeholders.
Some of the input given by IAESTE Club members in the forum included enhancement of educational diplomacy in the country by support of educational exchanges in financial aid, assistance in visa acquisition and other support mechanisms for students before and during their studies abroad.
The invitation to this Forum came after an initial Virtual Forum held on 7th November where the students recommended among other things:
- The revision of the academic curriculum in all levels to accommodate international studies and emergent issues.
- Increased engagement of youth in international forums to serve as learning opportunities, and combating ignorance when it comes to diplomacy and international relations.
- Creation and promotion of regional exchange semester programs and internships to enhance relations with our neighbours in East Africa.
- Development of a funding program to support regional and international internships.
- Setting up of Kenyan Cultural Centres abroad to serve as hubs to expose our culture and language(s) on a global scale, similar to the Chinese Confucius Institutes and German Goethe Institutes.
- Collaboration with well-structured bodies like IAESTE and AIESEC which promote Internationalisation through exchange internships.
- Inclusion of foreign language studies in all higher learning institutions to promote equal access to international opportunities.
