A transformational seminar for students aimed at equipping them with relevant skills to give them a competitive edge in their quest for employment opportunities when they complete their studies has been held at the University for Development Studies (UDS)
The Seminar also aimed at positioning students on a sound footing for the world of work was attended by some 275 participants mostly levels 300 and 400 students from the Tamale and Nyankpala campuses of the UDS.
On the theme, “The hybrid student,” the seminar was on 25th May, 2022, held at the multi-purpose hall of the University for Development Studies (UDS) by SOLNetwork Foundation, a corporate training, consulting and recruitment organisation to climax its 2022 Strategic Student Development Programme (SSDP).
Speakers addressed participants on a wide-range of topics from academic excellence to industrial intelligence, entrepreneurship, corporate leadership and finance, among others.
The Executive President of SOLNetwork, Mr. Gabriel King Akpalu, who is a Corporate Trainer, Soft Skills Development Expert and Consultant, spoke on the topic: “How to deploy in person, virtual platforms and programmes to prepare and position oneself academically and corporately”.
Describing the topic as the “new normal”, he urged participants to let their social media handles promote their skills through the pictures and other information they post on their statuses.
He charged them to endeavour to be proficient in the use of the internet, Microsoft themes, learn to host zoom meetings, advising them also to connect with experts they wish to learn from via Facebook, LinkedIn, among others. As regards YouTube, he advised them to ensure that the videos they watch should be tailored to their carrier paths to help them be at, “the cutting edge”.
Mr. Akaplu further urged participants to sharpen their skills by volunteering for work and doing internships to build their future carriers and to enhance their prospects for employment, reminding them that, “Your true worth is what you are without your certificate”.
He advised them to acquaint themselves with the activities of the organisations they intend to seek employment with by reading their annual reports and also do a comparative analysis of other organisations which are into similar businesses.
He, however, cautioned them to be modest in their salary expectations and other fringe benefits as entry level employees, especially with start-ups and developing businesses and organisations.
Mr. Anthony Suguru Abako, a Research and Programme Quality Coordinator, who spoke on the topic: “What I wish I knew before leaving University”, charged participants to be the first to grab opportunities that come their way. “The job market does not create space for you; you create the space and take charge. This is the mentality you should have before you leave the University”, he advised.
He also admonished them to join groups, take leadership positions and learn other skills unrelated to their programmes, urging them also to make conscious efforts to plan whatever they want to be before leaving school.
He, however, cautioned that success will not come their way on a silver platter, but will largely depend on their attitudes, skills and knowledge.
A Project Management Expert and Lecturer at the Computer Science Department at Tamale Technical University, Dr. Arnold Mushud Abukari, spoke on “How to survive as a graduate in a hybrid work environment”.
He said hybrid work ensures flexibility, allowing employees to split their time between working in the office and from home.
He charged participants to establish a consistent work schedule, focus on outcomes, embrace asynchronous communication (emails, slack, etc.), invest in team building, learn to use video conferencing and file system applications effectively, ensure work place technology is seamless and establish good rapport with on-site and remote employees, among others, if they are to survive in a hybrid work environment.
Hajia Lamnatu Adam, a Development Practitioner and Gender and Human Rights Activist, who spoke on the topic, “How to prepare as a student leader for corporate leadership”, noted that time management is what one need most to develop their skills for corporate leadership.
She advised participants to engage in co-curricular activities in addition to their lectures and assignments and urged them to take jobs and to socialize to enable them develop sharp emotional intelligence needed to support their corporate leadership drive, charging them also to develop leadership goals while in school and choose successful executives to mentor them.
Other Speakers included Rev. Bright Adonai, a Chartered Marketer and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Adonai Estates, who addressed participants via zoom on the topic, “Doing business in a hybrid work environment – how to have a competitive advantage” as well as Mr. Prince Abankwah, CEO of “Adeafe Susu” and Madam Grace Quaye, an Investment Advisor. They spoke on “Saving culture” and “Financial Management”, respectively.
The inaugural seminar of the 2022 SSDP took place at Ho Technical University and was subsequently replicated at University of Professional Studies, Accra and Pentecost University.
Source: Francis E. Monnie//Newswatchgh.com
