Faith Loronyokwe, a 4 th year student pursuing Bachelor of Economics is a joint winner of the 2024 X- Culture Global Symposium and International Business Consulting Competition, recently held in St. Louis University, Missouri, in collaboration with Academy of International Business, South East Chapter, USA. Ms. Loronyokwe was placed in group 9 together with two others, Mr Francesco Benda from Italy and Mr Jonathan Moore from the USA.

The trio’s concept was then declared the best. A total of 50 finalists had been placed in 13 groups. The win means Cape Town, South Africa will in 2031 host the World Congress of Dermatologist (WCD). This will be the first congress of its kind to be hosted in Africa, putting the continent at the centre of the global dermatology community and boosting medical tourism. According to the organisers, hosting the World Congress of Dermatology 2031, will position Cape Town as a global leader in dermatology, contributing to the economic, scientific and social growth of the region. The benefits will be long- lasting, creating a tangible legacy that could positively influence healthcare and research for decades to come. The proposed Dermatology Research Centre will further improve training of professionals, access to healthcare by the African communities, and therefore ensuring continuity of research and innovation. The event will attract a large international audience, which will not only feature dermatology specialists but also professionals from related fields such as pharmacology, bioengineering, cosmetics, and public health. The global reach of the WCD is not limited to the number of participants but also extends to the depth and diversity of different areas, ranging from rare diseases and new scientific discoveries to advanced clinical practices and innovations in skin disease treatments. X-Culture Global Symposium was sponsored by Maritz and brought together 50 finalists, mostly university students and young business enthusiasts from different parts of the world to share knowledge, ideas, cultures, and different perspectives that could change the world. It further provided a chance for professional growth, culture exchange, collaborations and linkages. Another participant during the event was Prudence Ongachi, a former student of TU-K who graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com). Last year, 68 students from TU-K were awarded prestigious Global Collaboration certificates by X-Culture. Dr. Lilian Ogendo, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Business and Management Studies (DBMS) is the lead coordinator for X-culture at TU-K and the country at large. X-Culture specialises in training and coaching in international business. The training places the students in top cadre in their careers; either in employment, business or in entrepreneurship. The aim is to improve cultural intelligence, international and virtual collaboration competencies, problem-solving skills, and interest in cross-cultural interactions.