In a compelling blend of science, mentorship, and purpose, Kenyatta University (KU) hosted a delegation from Save the Elephants (STE), led by Dr. Festus Ihwagi, Senior Scientist and Research Policy Lead, for a courtesy call and a joint Conservation Careers Symposium held on Thursday, 13th November 2025, at the Business and Student Services Centre (BSSC).
The visit, which began with a courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor’s office, brought together top University leadership, including Prof. Caroline Thoruwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Outreach) and Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), alongside senior officials from the School of Pure and Applied Sciences (SPAS) and the Centre for Career Development and Mentoring Programmes (CDMP).
The delegation from Save the Elephants included Nancy, Head of Projects and Education; Lillian, Communications Officer and Dr. Festus Ihwagi – all proud Kenyatta University alumni. The trio expressed their deep gratitude to the University, acknowledging the solid foundation KU had laid for their professional journeys. “Save the Elephants literally picked me up from the streets,” Dr. Ihwagi shared in an emotional reflection. “The late Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, the founder of STE, mentored me through my academic journey, from my undergraduate days at KU, to my PhD. At some point, he asked me, ‘How can we create more Festus’?’ and that is part of why we are here today.”
Dr. Ihwagi’s story personified the day’s theme: “Navigating a Successful Career in Conservation.” The symposium was designed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing a hands-on platform where students could interact with conservation experts, learn about global challenges, and identify meaningful career pathways.
A Shared Vision for Conservation and Education
Welcoming participants, Prof. Mathew Piero Ngugi, Executive Dean, SPAS, appreciated the collaboration between KU and Save the Elephants, describing it as “a shining example of academia extending beyond traditional boundaries to empower students through applied science and mentorship.”
The courtesy call preceding the symposium was attended by departmental chairpersons of Zoological Sciences, Plant Sciences, and Biological Sciences, alongside DVC Academic and the Head of CDMP, Mr. Kenneth Njoroge, who outlined KU’s robust student development ecosystem.
Mr. Njoroge highlighted the Career Development and Mentoring Programmes’ initiatives, including career week forums, internship placement coordination, peer mentorship and the Growing Leaders Programme, which trains final-year students in soft skills and personal branding. “We are digitising our services to reach even more students and deepen employability support,” he explained. “So when Save the Elephants proposed partnering with us on this symposium, it aligned perfectly with our mandate to bridge academia and industry.”
Save the Elephants: Science in Service to Life
Founded by the renowned zoologist Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Save the Elephants is a globally respected research and conservation NGO headquartered in Samburu, Kenya. Its mission is to secure a future for elephants and sustain the ecological balance between people and wildlife.
The organisation’s groundbreaking research has generated over 15 million data points on elephant behaviour, migration, and habitats, using advanced technologies such as GSM and GPS tracking. This data underpins conservation strategies across Africa and supports policy formulation through the Elephant Crisis Fund, the Ecoscope platform, and a broad network of collaborators, including WWF-Kenya, Mara Elephant Project, Mpala Research Centre, Nature Kenya, Born Free Foundation, Space for Giants, and the Wyss Academy for Nature.
Through its educational outreach, Save the Elephants nurtures young conservationists and builds professional bridges with institutions like Kenyatta University, turning passion into tangible environmental impact.
Alumni in Action: Giving Back Through Mentorship
Nancy, an alumna of the Department of Zoological Sciences, recounted how her first internship with Save the Elephants was secured through KU’s CDMP office. “That opportunity changed my life,” she said. “Now, we sit on panels where we see how Kenyan graduates can match and even outshine their international counterparts. Our role is to mentor them to rise and make waves globally.”
Her colleague, Lillian Wanja, an Economics alumna, added, “It’s emotional being back home. We’re running sessions on CV writing and professional communication. Everything is digital now – applications, interviews, self-presentation and we want KU students to be ready for the global stage.”
Empowering the Next Generation
During her address, Prof. Waceke Wanjohi, DVC (Academic), expressed her delight at seeing KU alumni thriving in global conservation leadership. “Seeing Nancy and Lillian, now leading impactful programmes at Save the Elephants, reaffirms KU’s holistic approach to education,” she said. “We don’t just train professionals; we nurture citizens who transform lives.”
She encouraged students to seize every opportunity the University offers, particularly through partnerships that open doors to industry exposure and real-world experience.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Caroline Thoruwa (DVC – RIO) lauded the symposium’s theme and stressed the need for students to remain agile and visionary in pursuing conservation careers. “The protection of our planet’s biodiversity demands innovation and collaboration,” she said. “At Kenyatta University, we believe knowledge must serve life and today’s symposium reflects that philosophy perfectly.”
Connecting Knowledge, Purpose, and the Planet
The Conservation Careers Symposium, attended by students from diverse disciplines within SPAS, included interactive sessions on CV writing, career branding, and conservation technology. KU student Kipkazu, pursuing a programme in Coastal and Marine Resource Management, was among the presenters symbolising the growing synergy between classroom knowledge and field experience.
The event closed with appreciation from both the KU and STE teams for the partnership’s success and its shared goal of nurturing the next generation of African conservationists.
As the DVC (Academic) aptly summed up: “Conservation is not merely a career, it is a calling. And KU is proud to be shaping those who will answer that very call.”