Ahead of its 2 years anniversary in November, the Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (IEPA), a UNESCO category II center of excellence at the University of Cape Coast, has organized a students’ forum with a call on them to adequately plan for their future before they graduate.
The forum dubbed: What Next After School seeks to equip students with the necessary job-market skills while inspiring them to be entrepreneurial even as they prepare to leave the university and enter the working world.
It also aimed to expose students to the numerous opportunities available in the University for those who wish to continue their academic pursuits in the university.
Speaking to ATLFM News, the Director-General of IEPA- UCC, Dr. Michael Boakye-Yiadom noted that there are high expectations on graduates as they leave school, and hence they must be prepared to meet those expectations.
He, therefore, said the forum is a reminder to the students that there are expectations out there and they must be ready in that regard.
“For the first degree, people expect them to deliver, people expect them to change their communities, people expect them to be innovative, people expect them to change the status quo, people expect them to be confident, and people expect them to have that character that can change the world, that character that can inspire humanity.” He said
“They must know the reality and they also have to remind themselves that times are hard. That is the reality but they also have some opportunities to take advantage of. So they must prepare themselves mentally, psychologically, emotionally to be able to identify where the opportunities are.” He added
On her part, the Head of Communications and Public Relations of the IEPA, Nana Efua Rockson reiterated the need for students to adequately plan for their future after school.
She added that there are numerous opportunities available after school, therefore students must endeavour to recognize and seize those opportunities.
She said “we are aware that it is examination week, we are aware that some are writing their final papers to graduate out there. But these experiences that are shared are worth more than probably the certificate that you are holding because you can finish school, have your certificate and you have no idea where the opportunities are.”
She, therefore, admonished students to participate in such forums organized in the university because they help to equip students for the future.
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Source: Emmanuella Ama Gyamfi & Abigail Baidoo/ATLFMNEWS
