Press Release
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) Future Leaders Challenge (FLC) 2025
THE FINALS
Venue: Dubai
Dubai, UAE – January 25, 2025
Kenyan Students and Educators Shine at MEA Future Leaders Challenge 2025 Finals in Dubai
Kenya’s delegation to the prestigious Middle East and Africa Future Leaders Challenge (MEA FLC) 2025 Finals, held in Dubai from January 21-24, has brought immense pride to the nation. The event, hosted by GameChangers, brought together 95 top-performing students from 23 schools across 13 countries in the Middle East and Africa, alongside 80 school directors, policymakers, and industry leaders.
The 2025 Middle East and Africa (MEA) Future Leaders Challenge (FLC) finals in Dubai.
The Kenyan team, comprising 12 top-performing students and 8 educators from Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre-Eastern Africa – GTRCMC-EA (Kenyatta University), Strathmore University, and Boma College, was officially flagged off on January 20, 2025, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). The flag-off ceremony was presided over by Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Chairperson of GTRCMC-EA, accompanied by Hon. John Ololtuaa, Principal Secretary for Tourism, Prof Waceke Wanjohi, the Vice Chancellor, Kenyatta University and other key officials.
Pictured: Hon. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Chairperson of GTRCMC-EA and other delegates flagging off the delegation to Dubai on 20th January 2024 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) Nairobi.
During the competition, Kenyan students demonstrated exemplary leadership and creativity:
- Onesmus Kimathi and his international team clinched First Place with the groundbreaking EaseStay Project, focusing on accessibility and personalized assistance using AI.
- Diana Njoroge and her team secured Second Place with So-Low, an innovative app for solo travelers.
- Abdalla Nasur was named Top Future Leader Student 2025 for his outstanding engagement and leadership throughout the event.
- Special Recognition was awarded to Kenyan students Mark Murugi and Dorice Morong and their team for their collaborative Cultural Integration System project aimed at preserving endangered cultures.
Pictured: First-position students celebrating where Kenyan students were among the winning team in Dubai
Beyond the competition, the event included career workshops, collaborative project development, and networking opportunities, allowing participants to exchange ideas while enjoying the rich cultural experiences Dubai has to offer.
Adding to the excitement, Dr. Esther Munyiri, Director of GTRCMC-EA, was honored as the new Country Manager for the East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC). Her leadership will spearhead the upcoming East Africa FLC Finals, set to take place at Strathmore University on April 28-29, 2025.
Pictured: Dr. Esther Munyiri, Director of GTRCMC-EA, was appointed as the new Country Manager for the East Africa Future Leaders Challenge (EA FLC)
Kenya’s outstanding performance highlights the country’s growing influence in shaping the future of global tourism and hospitality. As Hon. Rebecca Miano remarked during the flag-off, “This delegation represents the innovation, resilience, and leadership of Kenya’s youth. Together, we are building a brighter future for the tourism industry.”
Congratulations to the Kenyan team for their remarkable achievements and for putting the nation on the global map of tourism innovation!
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