By Lameck Tala
On March 3, USIU-Africa marked a defining milestone by deepening its commitment to bridging education and industry through a transformative partnership with GEOIQ, a Netherlands-based leader in geospatial solutions.
Through the Placement and Career Services (PACS) Office initiative, seven outstanding students from the School of Science and Technology were successfully placed at GEOIQ, where they will work on real-world geospatial projects that deliver measurable global impact. This opportunity not only validates the quality of talent nurtured at USIU-Africa but also signals the university’s growing influence in the international labour market.
Speaking during the onboarding session, GEOIQ Chief Executive Officer Puck Tushiezen underscored Kenya’s strength in geospatial expertise. “Every year, skilled Geographic Information Systems (GIS) graduates enter the workforce with a solid understanding of the tools and the local context. What’s often missing is a platform where their knowledge is put to work in real projects that deliver tangible results,” she said.
Her remarks affirmed a powerful truth that Kenya produces world-class geospatial professionals. What GEOIQ and USIU-Africa have now created is a formidable pipeline that connects this talent directly to meaningful global opportunities.
Dr. Victor Boiyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor – Student Life, emphasized that USIU-Africa is a hub of global talent whose graduates possess both the technical expertise and professional readiness to excel internationally. He reiterated the university’s commitment to continuous improvement, welcoming employer feedback to further strengthen student preparation.
This partnership reflects more than job placements; it represents confidence in the university’s academic rigor, industry alignment, and the exceptional caliber of its students.
In the spirit of academic and professional collaboration, five students from the University of Nairobi specializing in Geospatial Engineering also benefited from the opportunity and participated in the onboarding session alongside their Dean of Students. This cross-institutional engagement highlights a broader vision: positioning Kenya as a continental powerhouse in geospatial innovation.
Julian Ndombi, Head of Placement and Career Services, congratulated the students for their exemplary performance during the rigorous selection process and reminded them of their role as ambassadors of the university.
Tala Mdwasi, Senior Placement and Career Services Officer, reaffirmed the department’s strategic focus. “We shall continue to gather the necessary labour market intelligence across the board and seek local and international partnerships to ensure our students and alumni experience the shortest turnaround time on matters of employability, ” he said.
The talent sourcing process was made possible through the dedication of Prof. Leah Mutanu, who emphasized that the selection was strictly merit-based and encouraged the students to remain curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous learning.
