The Resilient Leadership Program (official name of the Camosun BCDI 2030 program) is a unique custom training program that responds to the industry and socio-economic needs of the program participants. Funded by Global Affairs Canada, the collaboration between Camosun and KCNP focuses on empowering young entrepreneurs, especially women and marginalized students, through practical training they'll bring back to their communities.
The program is co-administered nationally by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) and Universities Canada. CICan has provided key guidance to Camosun, including training sessions to the scholars. This support has ensured Camosun's program design reflects BCDI 2030's core goals of equity, inclusion and student success.
A custom program with regional impact
Students from Mombasa will join Camosun for a full semester this Fall in the School of Business, participating in four carefully selected courses focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, operations management, and sustainability. The curriculum was designed in close collaboration with KCNP, based on student needs, national priorities, and Kenya's culture of entrepreneurship.
"We're excited to welcome students from Kenya Coastal National Polytechnic to Camosun College's School of Business through the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030," says Carl Everitt, Associate Dean, School of Business. "Their arrival marks a powerful step toward building global partnerships rooted in sustainability, inclusive leadership, and community resilience. Together, we are cultivating changemakers who will lead initiatives that strengthen both local and international communities."
Beyond academics: cultural and career connections
The scale of involvement from the college will be unprecedented, providing an extensive network of resources and support that include academic guidance, career development, workshops, industry experiences, and socio-cultural activities, which include:
- Site visits to local businesses and hotels, offering insight into business operations and entrepreneurship in Canada.
- Mentorship and leadership development through participation in events such as Women in Trades luncheons.
- Cultural activities, including Halloween celebrations and outings like the Malahat Skywalk and Victoria Royals hockey games, organized in partnership with Camosun's International and the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS).
- CamSTAR professional skills development, guiding students through identifying and building key employability competencies.
"I look forward to immersing myself in Canada's rich culture and academic environment," says Consolata Aberi Nyambane, a student from KCNP joining Camosun this fall. "Gaining new knowledge and experiences that I can bring back and make a positive impact in my community while growing into the person I promised myself I would become."
Future pathways and program expansion
This fall marks the first cohort of students welcomed under the Resilient Leadership Program, but the program is set to grow.
"One of the highlights for Camosun International is building on over a decade of meaningful engagement in Kenya and Tanzania," says Marius Langeland, Associate Director, International Partnerships and Projects. "We're proud to welcome 26 remarkable students to Camosun over the next two years - starting with 11 students in cohort 1 in fall 2025 and 15 in cohort 2 in fall 2026."
The program is not a pathway to immigration or permanent employment in Canada, but serves as a powerful model for how Canadian institutions can help foster leadership and entrepreneurial skills, educational equity, and international cooperation.
About BCDI 2030: The BCDI 2030 program is an eight-year, $80 million program funded by Global Affairs Canada. BCDI 2030 is jointly administered by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada in partnership with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and the Association of African Universities (AAU).
