Initiative launched to benefit students with industry-required skills

PMI chief marketing officer Menaka Gopinath / BRIAN OTIENO

An initiative aimed at better preparing students for the rapidly changing economy has been launched in Nairobi.

The Lions Educators Forum is a global initiative designed to connect academia with creative industries and better prepare students for the evolving world of work.

"It responds to a growing need for closer alignment between what is taught in classrooms and the skills required in today's rapidly changing AI-enabled economy," said Project Management Institute (PMI) chief marketing officer Menaka Gopinath.

Speaking during the launch on June 10, Gopinath said the global initiative is a partnership between PMI and Cannes Lions, a five-day international festival of creativity and the largest gathering of the creative marketing community.

Gopinath said creativity, problem-solving, collaboration and adaptability are becoming increasingly critical across every profession, and educators and industry leaders must work together to ensure students are equipped to thrive.

"The Lions Educators Forum will focus on two core areas: developing future-ready curricula and strengthening pathways between education and employment," she said.

Through curated discussions, shared insights and ongoing collaboration, the forum aims to equip educators with the tools, knowledge and industry access needed to better prepare students for creative careers.

"Educators from around the world are invited to join a growing global network built on collaboration, where best practice is shared openly, ideas are challenged, and the collective goal is to better prepare the next generation for success," she said.

The forum will be chaired by Vann Graves executive director of VCU Brandcenter, and guided by a leadership team from Cannes Lions.

The programme will consist of three core components: global roundtables, an in-person Cannes Lions forum and a year-round network.

There will be two virtual roundtables each year, one in spring and one in autumn, bringing together educators and industry leaders to explore key challenges and opportunities.

There will also be a dedicated programme during the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity from June 22 to 26. It will be hosted at the PMI Cabana and offer educators direct access to industry insights and global best practice.

The Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is the world's largest and most prestigious event for the advertising, marketing and creative communications industry.

It is held annually in June at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France.

The year-round network will provide an ongoing global community where educators and industry professionals can connect, share resources and collaborate throughout the year.

Steve Latham, Global Head of Strategic Learning Initiatives at Cannes Lions, said creativity is now one of the most important skills in the global economy, yet the connection between education and industry has never been more critical.

"The Lions Educators Forum is designed to close that gap by creating a space where educators and industry leaders can collaborate, share insights and shape the future together," Latham said.

As a founding partner, PMI will help shape the forum's agenda by bringing a critical perspective on the skills students will need to succeed in an AI-enabled workplace.

Gopinath said as technology accelerates change across every profession, project management has become an essential capability for turning ideas into outcomes.

It helps people navigate uncertainty, build resilience, collaborate across disciplines and lead complex systems of work.

"The future of work will reward people who can do more than generate ideas. We need to equip students, and the educators who guide them, with the skills to bring people together, make sense of complexity and turn creative ambition into real-world impact," the PMI chief marketing officer said.

"Through the Lions Educators Forum, PMI is proud to help prepare the next generation with the capabilities to not only imagine what is possible, but to make it happen," she said.

PMI works with thousands of academic institutions worldwide, equipping educators and students with industry-aligned tools that help turn ideas into outcomes — an essential capability in today's creative economy.

The Lions Educators Forum is part of Cannes Lions' broader commitment to supporting lifelong learning and creative excellence across the global marketing and communications industry.