This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Dr. Vincent Ogutu, the vice chancellor designate of Strathmore University, has spoken about the significance of empowering youth to discover their passions and develop skills that can make a meaningful impact.
Dr. Ogutu, who holds an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London and a BA in Economics from the University of Nairobi, has had a transformative journey. He was part of the team that founded the MBA programme at Strathmore Business School and later became the MBA Director for three years.
Dr. Ogutu's experience at Rutgers University in New Jersey, where he spent several years through the Fulbright Scholarship, was a turning point in his life. He also lived in New York, which he described as 'hugely transformative experiences.'
When Dr. Ogutu returned to Kenya, he was offered the chance to lead the university as its next vice chancellor. He is currently being coached by Prof. John Odhiambo, the current VC.
Dr. Ogutu encourages youth to discover their talents and engage in activities that can help them turn those talents into 'mad skills.' He believes that Strathmore University is equipping its students for the future by providing them with opportunities to hone their skills through industrial internships, community service, and extracurricular activities.
He also recommends that employers create a talent pipeline where new employees can see opportunities for growth and development. Dr. Ogutu suggests that companies should not be too possessive and allow employees to leave for greener pastures when they have reached the top of the ladder.
Dr. Ogutu's Ted talk on 'people should commit to a cause that has their name written on it' has inspired many. He believes that people can find their cause by embracing the problems around them and discovering their talents and skills. He quotes Frederick Buechner, who said, 'The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet.'
Dr. Ogutu has been studying the Psychology of Meaningful Work for six years and has made a significant discovery. He found that there are three meanings people tend to get from their work: job orientation, career orientation, and calling orientation. He believes that work callings can be acquired, and he has identified three trajectories to a calling: always, sudden, and gradual.
Dr. Ogutu advises young people to expose themselves to many possibilities to truly know themselves. He warns against the temptation of path dependence and encourages them to take breaks and work for a while to test their hypotheses.
Regarding the issue of unemployment among young people, Dr. Ogutu believes that it is a complex problem with multiple causes. He suggests that youth should take action today and give themselves the education they never had or could never have afforded. He recommends taking free courses on EdX, Coursera, Udemy, and Udacity to teach themselves valuable knowledge and skills.
