August 28-29, 2023, Mbarara, Uganda – Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) successfully held its inaugural career fair, supported by the Education Collaborative’s Career Fair Initiative.
The two-day event brought together companies from diverse sectors including agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with industry professionals and explore career opportunities across Uganda and East Africa.
The fair served as a dynamic platform for students to: explore potential career paths, network with prospective employers, and to understand current job market trends and demands
“Without a fully-fledged career services department, this milestone makes us very proud,” said Professor Casim Umba Tolo of MUST. “Higher education is evolving rapidly, and students need structured career support. This fair is a great step toward establishing a dedicated unit at our university.We saw both students and employers eager to connect, and we’re excited to build on this momentum. Since joining The Education Collaborative in 2023, we’ve received valuable support to drive key projects and partnerships. Our next goal is to establish a career services unit to better serve all our students.”
Through interactive sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one interactions, students gained essential skills for career preparation and job seeking.
Organized by MUST’s Career Services Department, this pioneering event was made possible through support from The Education Collaborative. Since joining The Collaborative in 2023, MUST has actively participated in various initiatives aimed at enhancing student employability. A key milestone in this journey was the 2024 Career Strategy Workshop, which laid the foundation for the university’s enhanced approach to career services.
The Career Strategy Workshop, a core initiative of The Education Collaborative, guides higher education institutions in developing comprehensive career strategies. These workshops provide a structured framework for enhancing or establishing career centers, ultimately preparing students for the competitive job market. Through this partnership, MUST secured a grant that was instrumental in organizing its first career fair.
Over the years, The Education Collaborative has worked closely with partner institutions across Africa, providing support, mentorship, and resources to improve graduate outcomes. The Career Fair Initiative is part of the Collaborative’s support services, assisting higher education institutions in organizing and hosting successful career fairs on their campuses, building employer relationships, and connecting students with potential employers.
The success of this inaugural career fair at MUST underscores the importance of collaboration between higher education institutions, industry partners, and organizations like The Education Collaborative in preparing students for the workforce and driving economic growth in Uganda and across Africa.
