The University of Venda’s Department of Human Resource Management and Labour Relations, in collaboration with Moi University, Kenya, hosted the inaugural Human Resource Management International Conference (HRMIC) from June 2-5, 2025, in Eldoret, Kenya. This significant event attracted over 100 scholars from 14 countries across 21 institutions, marking a historic moment in the realm of Human Resource Management (HRM).
The conference was themed ‘Innovative Human Resource Strategies for Workforce Resilience and Sustainable Development’. It served as a transformative platform discussing global workforce development challenges, organizational resilience, work-life balance, and HR innovation. The hybrid format allowed participants to engage both in person and virtually, broadening the reach of its critical discussions.
During the opening ceremony, Prof. Barwa Kanyane, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Management, Commerce and Law at the University of Venda, highlighted the importance of this collaboration. He announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Moi University, a step towards sustained academic partnerships and internationalization. This MoU aims to foster joint research projects and student exchange programs, enhancing understanding of global HR practices and promoting cultural exchange.
Prof. Kiplagat Kotut, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Moi University, emphasized the role of HRM in stabilizing and enhancing organizational functionality worldwide. He noted that the effort to organize this conference has laid a solid foundation for future gatherings, bringing together scholars globally to influence workplace stability.
The conference featured three breakaway sessions with a total of eighty presentations. These sessions covered a wide array of topics, including strategic HR practices, leadership development, employee engagement, talent retention, and digital transformation. Each presentation provided insights into current trends and challenges within the HRM field, facilitating a comprehensive understanding among attendees.
Prominent institutions participating in the conference included the University of Venda, Moi University, University of the Free State, University of Rwanda, Taita Taveta University, Tshwane University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, American University in Dubai, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Makerere University Business School, University of South Africa, Ansbach University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Open University of Kenya, Kyambogo University, Masai Mara University, Mountains of the Moon University, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kisii University, Koitaleel Samoei University, Uganda Management Institute, and Midlands State University.
The event was organized by the Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication at the University of Venda. For more information, interested parties can contact the department directly at 082 868 2218 or 082 868 1811.
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Note: This article is inspired by content from https://www.univen.ac.za/news/the-1st-human-resource-management-international-conference-attracted-more-than-100-scholars-from-14-countries/. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.