VARSITY COLLEGE CONNECTIONS INTERNATIONAL (VCCI)
Who we are
We are a non-profit organization with a special passion for empowering tertiary education students and graduates. Specifically, our vision speaks to a reality where tertiary education students and graduates can mature into competent, confident, consicious, creative and compassionate leaders, locally, regionally and internationally.
To achieve this, we have put in place carefully structured programmes whose central themes are leadership grooming, community development, as well as regional and international engagements.
Target Group
Any tertiary education young adult aged 18 – 40 years, single or married.
Tertiary education incorporates vocational training college, teacher training college, polytechnic and university.
Any such young adult who refuses to settle for an ordinary life path, but is strongly ambitious to take charge of their own destiny qualifies. A notable characteristic of such a young adult is their strong conviction to make it, never giving up but always doing what they can, step by step, to shape their destiny.
Our motto
Purpose
Connect
Inspire
Transform
SECURE A BRIGHT FUTURE WITH VCCI MENTORSHIP
Join Our Bright Future Leadership Podcasts
Get set for success and a brighter future by participating in our Secure A Brighter Future Leadership Podcast.
This programme equips you with critical skills to tackle different issues at work, college, university and in life.
You will learn public engagement skills and how to apply logic to life challenges, identify different options through scenario mapping and planning.
Here is some good news for you: VCCI is giving away Free VCCI Annual Membership to the first 28 students from any vocational training centre, or teachers college or university.
Therefore, what are you still waiting for? Find your friends and make four teams each comprising of 7 members and come and get VCCI Free Membership for a whole year. During the year you actively participate in the Bright Future Podcast
Our Head Mentors
Dr Charlie Charles Dahwa. VCCI Lead Consultant & Principal Director. PhD Management. Manchester Metropolitan University. UK.
Dr Sarah Serwah Boateng. Head Mentor VCCI Ghana. PhD Finance. University of Ghana.
Professor Baakile Motshegwa. Head Mentor VCCI Botswana. PhD Management. University of New Castle. Australia.
Dr Adewale Adekiya. Head Mentor VCCI Nigeria. PhD Business Management. Bayero University. Kano. Nigeria.
Our Head Mentors
Dr Judith Charumbira. VCCI Head Mentor Zimbabwe. PhD Marketing. University of Lusaka. Zambia.
Dr Tiyesere Mercy Chikapa Jamali. Head Mentor VCCI Malawi. PhD Business & Management. University of Manchester. UK.
Dr Ruthwinnie Munene. Head Mentor VCCI Kenya. PhD Finance. Kabarak University. Kenya.
Our Mentorship Support Team
Dr Caroline Ndei. VCCI Kenya Finance Mentor. PhD Finance. University of Karatina. Kenya.
Dr Samuel Kahura Ndung’u. VCCI Kenya Communication Mentor. PhD Communication. University of Karatina. Kenya.
Dr Cletos Garatsa. VCCI Zimbabwe Strategy Mentor. PhD Management. Durban University of Technology. South Africa.
Dr Beatrice Ombaka. Kenya VCCI Strategy Mentor. PhD Business Administration – Strategy. University of Nairobi. Kenya.
Our Services
VCCI MAGAZINE
VCCI Magazine features personal stories about different college and university students and those students within five years since they graduated. It also heralds key topical issues of interest to these students. As a VCCI member you can have your own story and photos published in this magazine.
SOFT SKILLS TRAINING
VCCI youth undergo different soft skills training workshops. Every diploma and degree does not impart all the soft skills young adults require. Communication, problem solving, team work and versatility are some of the key soft skills training offerred.
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TRAINING
To succeed in todays ever changing global environment, possessing a significant portfolio of professional skills is of paramount importance. Yet, not every diploma and degree imparts such skills. Therefore, VCCI youth undergo training to equip them with major professional skills , which will help them in managing and leading different situations.
CAREER GUIDANCE & JOB SEARCH
VCCI youth will benefit from career guidance as well as job searching services.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
VCCI members undergo strong leadership development via training as well as exchange programmes, locally, regionally and internationally.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
VCCI members undergo strong community development training. They emerge with key skills which they can use to contribute towards making strong, productive, inclusive and resilient communities.
SCHOLARSHIPS DATABASE
While ambitions for college and university students and graduates are undoubtedly diverse and vast, sadly the means to achieve such great ambitions always remain very limited. It is in this regard that VCCI aggregates numerous scholarships publicly available on the market and deliver them directly via email to the VCCI members. This is a great service to the VCCI members most of whom significantly struggle to locate such global opportunities. VCCI also provides coaching with regards to responding to such calls for funding.
BUSINESS START UP WORKSHOPS
Knowing that employment is not guaranteed after college and university, VCCI proactively equips students with key skills on how to successfully start up their businesses. VCCI helps its members to source funding rom various sources in the market.
HOLIDAY TOURS & EXCHANGE PROGRAMES
DEBATE & PUBLIC SPEAKING
VCCI members also benefit from debate and public speaking. They tackle key topical societal issues demonstrating their critical thinking and leadership capabilities in the process. The VCCI youth also run various podcast sessions as part of the debate and public speaking activities.
SOCIAL NETWORKING
It is not always studying, coaching , training and mentoring at VCCI. A major benefit is the opportunity for social networking. This allows members to ocassionally go out and network at various places of interest.
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
A notable advantage of being a VCCI member is that of getting connected with key industry professionals. This includes being introduced to some of the key captains of industry. This is possible because a number of such industry proofessionals are invited to partner with VCCI ; serving as mentors or keynote speakers.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP COMPETITIONS
VCCI promotes entrepreneurship curricula and new venture creation by running entrepreneurship competitions. The brand name of such competitions is Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Education Competitions (EEECo). Such EEECo are organized at four levels: Vocationa Training Colleges EEECO, Teacher Training Colleges EEECO, Polytechnic EEECo and University EEECo. Making it even more exciting, is how EEECos are run locally, district, province, national, regional and international. VCCI cordially invites your college or university to take part in this creative and very rewarding EEECo.
BECOME A VCCI MEMBER OR PARTNER
VCCI YOUTH MEMBERSHIP
You qualify to join VCCI as a Youth Member if you are aged 18-40 years; single or married, still at college or university OR have since graduated. College refers to Vocational Training Institutes, Teachers College, and Polytechnic. To ensure more young adults can participate, the VCCI Youth Membership Fee has been pegged at USD$15 per year. This is without doubt very much affordable and if a young adult is really interested, they will certainly be able to join VCCI.
VCCI PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
If you are a professional in the private, public or civic sector and you are very much interested in the vision for VCCI; you are most welcome to join as a professional member. The VCCI Professional Membership Fee is currently pegged at USD$60 per year.
VCCI COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY MEMBERSHIP
Higher education institutions can become VCCI members and their membership fees are as follows: Vocational Training Institute – USD$500 per year. Teachers College – USD$600 per year. Polytechnic – USD$700 per year. University – USD$800 per year.
COMPANY PARTNERS
Private sector company can become a VCCI partner by paying USD$500 per year.
VCCI SERVICES: To access any of the VCCI services, simply email us via vcci@sbgazim.com or WhatsApp +263 77 335 3800
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EIZ Community (ECOM)
Register today to become a member of our EIZ Social & Research Community