By Our Reporter
The Vice Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke says the institution has introduced a new programme called ‘College of Practical Skills’.
Anieke disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the 8th and 9th Combined Convocation of the university.
Godfrey Okoye university is an institution owned and managed by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu.
The clergy said that the college being built in collaboration with some European partners was aimed at addressing the challenges of unemployment in the country.
He said that the programme would be accompanied by a startup projects where students with the institution’s certification would be given loans to set up businesses.
The vice chancellor said that the groundbreaking of the college would precede the combined convocation.
He said that the college would be expected to supply manpower to the European Park situated at the main campus of the university at Ugwuomu Nike.
He said that the 10 European companies that had so far committed to the park would need no fewer than 1000 workers.
He said that the park would provide hands-on experience to students on Industrial Training (IT).
“One challenge any company will have in this country is that of skilled labour. We want to start training the workers in view of the business park and other things.
“I look forward to the business park being the live wire of the economy of Enugu State and South-East.
“You can imagine the impact it will have on employment and internal generated revenue of the state,” he said.
On the combined convocation, Anieke said that no fewer than 614 graduates would participate in the programme, including 17 First Class graduates.
“We could not hold the convocation last year because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This year, we are able to do it bringing the set of last year and this year together,” he said.
Anieke described the institution as a university awash with God’s incredible blessings considering the progress it had made in the 12 years of its existence, particularly, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said that in spite of the challenges the world faced during the pandemic, the university achieved tremendous success, moved all its programmes online and graduated a set of students.
“We built one of the best auditoriums in Nigeria in the context of the pandemic. This is a narrative of success in a trying time,” Anieke said.
