Introducing ‘SocialPro’ social media clubs for University Students in Kenya
SocialPro clubs seek to shape the future of social media in Kenya. (Image: Socialedge.co.ke)
Mr. Muthuri Kinyamu is a social media marketing guru behind the idea of ‘SocialPro’ a project which seeks to engage university students, lecturers and the corporate world in different profitable ways to use social media to lower the rate of joblessness among university graduates.
Outside his office in Westlands, where he heads a social media company called Social Edge Africa, the 23 year old is a bachelor of commerce graduate from University of Nairobi and also holds a certificate in ACCA from Strathmore University.
His passion for marketing, more so internet marketing through social media has landed him lucrative gigs with some of the big names in Kenya such as Coca Cola, CIO East Africa, Under30CEO.com and Sierra just to name a few.
Even with his success as a freelancer in the corporate world and barely after completing his university education, Mr. Muthuri Kinyamu says he hasn’t pulled out the big guns yet. Through SocialPro his aim is to see many students in Kenyan universities, who are interested in using social media beyond the ordinary, achieve their dreams and get gainful employment.
Mr. Muthuri Kinyamu – @KenyanMarketer
“There’s a niche for what we are doing. Lecturers, students and business leaders need to understand social media to integrate it fully into their teaching and businesses,” Mr. Muthuri Kinyamu explained through a conversation we had online.
“The tremendous growth of social media in business and communication has necessitated us to conceptualize and spearhead the formation of social media clubs dubbed (SocialPro clubs) in universities across the country,” he added.
SocialPro clubs will be open to all university students in Kenya interested in interacting on a personal level with business organizations, inspirational bloggers, social media enthusiasts, digital agencies and assorted speakers.
Social media etiquette, creativity and online innovation seem to be at the heart of the formation of SocialPro. These same values are in limited supply if not completely absent among many Kenyan savvies, if the recent outcry by the government on rising social media crimes is anything to go by.
Support from the government
Through this platform, the government hopes to sensitize the society on the dangers of spreading hate messages to incite other citizens especially through social media during the election period. The government is also keen on empowering its youth to solve welfare problems by creating viable businesses that tackle these challenges.
On 25th of September at the University of Nairobi, the PS in the Ministry of Information and Communication, Dr. Bitange Ndemo will officially oversee the groundbreaking ceremony which will also act as a green light to the pilot phase of socialPro in four Kenyan universities; University of Nairobi, Strathmore University, USIU Kenya and Multimedia University.
Concerning other universities, Mr. Kinyamu cheerfully confirms that their respective roll outs will follow after receiving positive feedback from the pilot phase.
Supported by a motivated team comprising students from various universities, corporates, partners and other individuals, the intention is to roll out SocialPro clubs in all universities by mid 2013 after a period of comprehensive awareness on the need to set up such a facility.
“The core objective of SocialPro clubs is to teach, educate, create awareness and impart knowledge & skills of social media to the university students. SocialPro clubs will also create a platform that will enhance product and consumer engagement through creativity and innovation,” read a statement in an email conversation with the social media prodigy.
Why every university student should join SocialPro clubs
- Learn and practice modern ways of marketing through blogging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, video, audio podcasts and so much more.
- Access to classified case studies on how successful social media campaigns were planned and executed.
- Networking opportunities with top industry professionals and digital agencies.
- Communicate, engage and interact with lecturers on social media profiles
- Career opportunities, training and placement for those interested in pursuing a career in social media.
- Extensive studies on personal branding, social media etiquette and how to engage professionally with clients using social media.
These are just but a few of the benefits of SocialPro clubs; there is a complete listing of the same on Mr. Muthuri Kinyamu’s blog.
To be part of #SocialPro clubs launch and roll out as a partner, sponsor, be part of the team or support for this idea please send an email to Nateford@socialedge.co.ke
