UI reiterates commitment to quality teachings *organises skill empowerment for young entrepreneurs

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof Idowu Olayinka has reiterated the commitment of the institution to continue to project a good image for the University by ensuring quality teaching and research.

Professor Olayinka said this at Beyond Smart Masterclass, a programme organised by the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Prof Olanike Adeyemo, to empower outstanding UI students with employability, workplace readiness and entrepreneurial skills.

The two days programme held at Otunba Subomi Balogun Conference Centre, UI Hotels, the University of Ibadan over the weekend.

The VC disclosed that having a foundation in the University is unique and very important but does not determine the future, adding that it is possible to study a course and choose a different career after graduation, saying, “so, your first degree is just to give you the basics”.

He called for critical thinking and plans to continue to develop and leverage IT to meet up with the standard in the world – the labour market. He encouraged the students to continue to do their best and find fulfilment in whatever profitable endeavour they find themselves, noting that, “the final thing is to have fulfilment in life”.

Prof Olayinka added that the University of Ibadan will continue to be relevant in teaching and research to produce standard students who will stand up to achieve more feats and bring glory to UI, while also contributing to their alma Mata but that “the onus is on UI to continue to make you relevant”.

He disclosed the joy that flood the hearts of management and staff of UI when any of the graduates thrives in the world. He challenged students to lay hold on what is beneficial to life and achieve more lofty feats, rather than fighting with the management on matters that can be resolved amicably.

In her opening remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), Prof Olanike Adeyemo said the programme was organised to expose students to entrepreneurial skills that will make them proud of their alma Mata.

She said it is joyful to see UI alumnus achieving greatness in life.

In her words, "when a parent raises a child well, the child will come back to take care of the parent", stressing that UI will expect them to come back to their alma mata in the next five years to also participate in the development of the University system.

Speaking at the occasion, the Founder/Executive Director, Mentoring Assistance for Youths & Entrepreneurs Initiative (MAYEI), Edem Dorothy Ossai noted that self-awareness is key because development for transformation begins with information.

The information, she said, will assist in identifying the right step to take after leaving the four walls of the University.

Ossai, speaking on the topic “Developing Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People” harps on the need to channel brilliance to add value to the formal system “there is a need for everyone to rise early enough to achieve greatness by determining who you are, what you want to do and where you want to be.”

She added that undergraduate students should start thinking about the value they will add to society after their course of study. She said “What value do you want to add to the society? We are happy when you are smart, but what we need in the world is “solution providers”. She urged the students to learn to multitask and collaborate with counterparts in the labour market because innovation will thrive with collaboration.

The DVC further urged the students to stop chasing after money and change their framework to adding value that will eventually produce the money they will need in life.

In her remarks, the Head of Recruitment, Aidella, Jumoke Aleoke-Malachi noted that the key to success is emotional stability that will produce emotional intelligence (EQ). She said EQ will help people project into the future, identify their strength, harness it and fulfil their visions. She calls for deliberate action to meet societal needs.

She spoke on the topic “Developing Habits of Emotionally Intelligent People”, and charged the participants to be skilful right from their undergraduate days to meet the requirements in the labour market.

She said, “every company need ‘content-related skills’, so if you can write, you have gold already”, adding "to thrive and achieve success in the workplace will depend on some core values which include the ability to collaborate with others, patience and perseverance."

She said it is interesting to see “patience” and “perseverance” as core values, which in the word of God, is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. These core values, according to her will help you to manage your emotions, stability and good relationship with colleagues and counterparts. She said, you owe it to yourself to manage your expectations, therefore “a moment of patience in the moment of anger saves you a hundred moments of regret”.

She said emotion drives people and organisations to drive people to work.

Also speaking at the event, the Human Resource Management, Ex Foods Limited, Toyin Obaniyi said "your ability to manage other people will make you successful. Many brilliant graduates lack organisational skills needed for job specifications, and therefore could not get jobs."

He urged undergraduate students to have mentors of their visions that they can look up to and relate with so that they can learn from their wealth of knowledge, saying, “it is very important to choose mentors that will help you advance in your careers”.

Olaniyi urged them to build the ability to learn from the experience of others so that they can easily chat their way to fulfilment, noting that "happiness depends on the good choice you make, not the one that you are been forced to do. Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life”.

The Managing Director, Kairos Business Service Limited, Babatunde Fajimi spoke on "Employability and Workplace Readiness Skills" to address the skills that are needed for the job.

The Chief Executive Officer, Ednutalo Autoclinic, Tunde Onakoya spoke on "Developing Multiple Streams of Income" charged the students to navigate their skills to source for multiple streams of income for a better life.

Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer, Mettalloids Limited, Harry Enaholo spoke on "Changing Nature of Work" that they must prepare for in the face of innovation.

The Human Resource Director, Schneider Electric, Dorothy Tunde-Ajala spoke on "Leadership Competencies - What makes a Successful Leader". She described the necessary leadership skills that should be deployed to achieve collaboration and successful output.

Also, the Senior Associate, TalentMine, Toluwase Olaniyan while speaking on the topic " Getting your First Job" advocated for skilful preparation to achieve this feat.

The Chief Executive Officer, ABEDA, Visual Artist, Muralist, Ver Ikeseh spoke on "Passion2Profit - Building Personal Brand and Becoming your Boss". He shared the need to be passionate about visions and build a personal brand for business.

The Chief Executive Officer, YNorth Wears, Seun Bamiro on the topic " Passion2Profit - How to Start your own Passion Business" also talked about the steps to take to achieve a vision.