Three students from the Department of Hospitality and Human Ecology (DHHE) represented the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) at the IMEX-MPI Future Leaders Forum- Meetings Africa, held in Johannesburg from 24^th to 26^th February this year. The students had 10 minutes each to present their bid in front of a jury of industry professionals and compete for a place at the IMEX finals that were held in Frankfurt, Germany.

IMEX stands for Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings and Events. It is a major annual gathering of professionals in the hospitality, events and tourism sectors.

IMEX, in partnership with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Global Meetings and Events Company (MCI), created the Future Leaders Forum, where the students in the industry get a unique sponsored opportunity to gain expert insight into the meetings industry, learning from and connecting with inspirational industry experts and fellow students.

The IMEX-MPI-MCI University Challenge was created in 2009 to encourage students to showcase their ideas and talent based on a fictitious brief.  It is held at six selected Future Leaders Forums each year. One of these centres is Meetings Africa, held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This year, the students were tasked with choosing one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and designing an event that seeks to further the attainment of the goal. The proposed event had to combine education, problem solving, networking and experience and at the end, outline actionable steps towards achieving the chosen SDG.

TU-K was represented by Josephine Waithera, Esther Mwende and Sydney Lorna, all pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Event and Convention Management. Sydney Lorna emerged as the first runners-up. The students were each awarded a certificate of participation.

TU-K was the only university in East and Central Africa to take part in the event. On 9^th December this year, the students received their certificates from the Chairperson of the Department, Dr. Selina Ayoma Onyango, in the company of other teaching staff, who included Dr. Davies Barasa, Mrs. Beatrice Makawiti (event leader and coordinator) and Ms. Theresia Kyule.

The students each gave a brief of their bids. Sidney Lorna presented her award-winning bid, which addressed femicide, a menace bedevilling the country.

The students reflected on the event, terming it highly successful and noting that it significantly enhanced their practical learning experience, exposure and networking experience. They further highlighted their visit to the Meetings Africa exhibition, which showcased the MICE industry in the African continent. The overall winner was from a South African university and represented the continent at the finals in Frankfurt.