Guardian

A NEW approach to facilitate seamless absorption of graduates into the labour market, improve their learning abilities and create a mutually profitable relationship between the university and employers of labour, has been introduced by Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State.

The world-class institution, which opened its gates to welcome its first pioneer students was established by foremost automobile dealer and Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL), Chief Michael Ade-Ojo in his native town.

Under the novel initiative, which was unveiled by the proprietor, while speaking at the orientation programme organised by the university for the new students, co-operation would be established between the institution and different employers of labour through vacation engagements of students under tutelage.

Ade-Ojo, who said that the vision of the university was to produce graduates that will be highly sought after by big organisations and blue chip companies, added that under the programme, private organisations and government agencies will assist in the training of the students.

He told the gathering of students that instead of staying idle during long vacations between academic sessions, they would be deployed to various organisations and agencies “to acclimatise with the working environment, learn practical skills and observe the workings of such organisations and agencies.”

According to him, the vacation engagements will cover a minimum of six weeks per session and will be part of the compulsory requirements for the award of the university certificate.

In his address to the students, he said, “we are going to write letters to different organisations where you will be attached for six weeks during each of the end-of-session vacation.

“The organisations could be schools, industries, commercial enterprises or government offices and agencies. The idea is to familiarise you with the atmosphere that you will eventually find yourselves at the end of your studentship here.

“By the time you have finished three vacation engagements, you certainly would be ready for absorption into the society.

“And as much as possible, we will link you up with organisations that have relevance to your course of studies. If you are good and excell, you could be making your eventual employment with the company, an easy task.”

A total of 100 students, who were admitted to the Faculty of Basic and Applied Science and the Faculty of Humanities and Management Sciences, took part in the orientation programme.