Making University Relevant: Kibo's Career-Focused Computer Science Degree
Traditional universities are failing young Africans, with 30-50% of African university graduates unemployed or underemployed. Kibo set out to reimagine higher education for young Africans by building a computer science degree program that directly prepares students for the modern workplace.
Why Career Focus Matters
What is university for? Some argue that universities should provide a broad foundation rather than focus on job training. But when we asked our students why they joined Kibo’s BSc program, their main goal was clear: to advance their careers and earn a living. Many were already enrolled in local universities or had existing degrees, but felt unprepared for the job market. They came to Kibo seeking something different—something practical.
In the conversation below, Kibo’s CEO Ope Bukola, Chief Product Officer Rob Cobb, Data Analyst Bukola Akinsola, and Head of Computer Science David Walter discuss why and how we made career readiness the core of our BSc in computer science.
Our Approach to Designing for Careers
At Kibo, we embedded career development into every part of the degree program. Our aim was not just to teach computer science theory, but to ensure students could apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Here’s how we made that happen:
Industry Experience Course: no classroom project can mimic the real-world with full fidelity. So, at the end of each academic year, students participated in immersive, full-time internships where they applied their technical and professional skills in real-world environments.
Real-World Projects: In addition to essential computer science theory coursework (e.g., Discrete Mathematics, Data Structures), students took classes in web development, data science and other applied topics. These helped build in-demand skills using industry-standard tools and practices.
Professional Mentorship: each student was matched with an industry professional who provided guidance and feedback throughout their first year. These relationships extended beyond formal coursework and often helped students open doors to job opportunities.
Professional Presence Training: Courses on communication, self-awareness, and workplace etiquette prepared students for the professional world.
Job Search Preparation: our "Engineering Your Career," courses covered everything from building portfolios to interview practice.
Challenges and Learnings
As discussed, hurdles we faced included:
Contextual Gaps: Many students lacked understanding of workplace expectations. We addressed this by incorporating real-world simulations, like hiring workshops where students reviewed actual job applications.
Sourcing Opportunities: Finding internships and jobs required significant effort, which led us to focus on contributing to open-source projects for the first year industry experience.
Complex Logistics: While effective, the mentorship program was challenging to scale.
Self-advocacy: We struggled to teach students to create their own opportunities, rather than relying solely on Kibo’s connections to open doors.
Focusing on work “works”
Our approach had a real impact. Students built lasting relationships with mentors, excelled in internships, and impressed employers with their ability to apply what they learned to real-world problems. One student, for instance, secured a role with a company looking to automate their data processes—a skill they honed during our Automation Assistant program.
Perhaps the most gratifying outcome was the ripple effect. As students succeeded, they became ambassadors for Kibo, helping to open doors for future graduates. By bridging the gap between academia and industry, we not only prepared our students for successful careers but also created a network of professionals who will continue to support each other long after Kibo’s work ends.
Focusing on career readiness doesn’t diminish the value of higher education—it enhances it. We weren’t just preparing our students for their first job; we were equipping them for lifelong learning and success in a fast-changing world.
To learn more, watch the full reflection video: Career Focused Learning
Note: This post is part of a series exploring lessons learned from Kibo School. Click here to read the series overview and access related posts.