The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) has organised a weeklong Summer Camp under the theme, ‘Building Capabilities outside the Classroom’ which seeks to bring lecturers and other experts to interact with scholars of the Program. The Summer Camp is being organised for all scholars of MCFSP at KNUST to help them prepare for real life challenges after school.
Speaking at the programme, Professor William Gariba Akanwariwiak, the Dean of Students advised the students to acquire and develop skills outside the classroom, which he said, would make them distinct from other graduates.
On the issue of unemployment, he said due to the government’s inability to create jobs for all graduates, the students should take the initiative of creating jobs to help solve the problem of unemployment in Ghana. He further advised them to make use of the skills training sessions in order to impact knowledge acquired unto others who did not get the opportunity. Again, he stated that the Summer Camp would actively prepare them for the job market, since the experts would enlighten them on CV writing, how to prepare for interviews and work ethics.
Professor Gariba hoped that first class honours would be awarded not only to the brilliant students but to brilliant students who could also use their talents to create something meaningful. He further commended the students who won awards at the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) Excellence Awards and encouraged them to do more.
Professor William Otoo Ellis, Chairman, MCFSP at KNUST and former Vice-Chancellor, KNUST, in his presentation on ‘networking,’ said networking is simply talking to people, making connections and building rapport to grow one’s circle of influence and further revealed that with networking, it is better to listen more than to talk. He added that, this could be achieved through education, seminars, and employers’ links. Touching on the benefits of networking, he stated that networking would help one build connections for greater opportunities, excellent source of information sharing, source of new ideas and strengthen relationships.