40 African students trained on self reliance

Over 40 university students from five African countries have benefited from an entrepreneurship training.

The training, organised by Language of Liberty Institute, was conducted at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.

Language of Liberty Institute Programmes Director for Africa Thomas Adedayo said the training camp equipped the students with skills that will make them self reliant after graduating.

Mr Adedayo said the training dubbed ‘Liberty and Entrepreneurship camp’ and themed ‘fundamentals of a prosperous society’, attracted students from Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi and Rwanda.

“We have been collaborating with universities across the globe especially in Africa and training students on the need for them to change their perception from being a job seeker to a job creator,” he said.

He said the institute, co-founded by Andy Eyschen and Glenn Cripe 10 years ago, was established to prepare university students for the exact environment they will find after graduating. He said the institute selects students pursuing different degree programmes in different African universities. The students are enrolled to the camp that lasts three to four days and are taken through intensive training on principles of becoming prosperous entrepreneurs.

Meaningful individuals

He said the initiative is aimed at helping them become meaningful individuals in the society and fulfill their corporate social responsibility.

“Most of graduates depend on the Government to create jobs and in reality governments are retrenching. This programme therefore motivates the students to be self reliant and job creators in the continent,”Adedayo said.

Mr Cripe said the programme has provided a majority of graduates with entrepreneurial skills that have helped create employment opportunities in their countries.

He said: “The camp also provides students with scholarship opportunities to local and international universities, as well as engage them in essay and practical skills competition.”

Mr Eyschen challenged the university students to acquire skills in things they have a passion for instead of studying for the sake of acquiring a well paying job and the certificate.

“Knowledge by itself is not a guarantee for getting a job,” he said.