Emphasizing Employability of University Graduates: The ESUT Example

By Ikechukwu Odu

The education system in Nigeria, while possessing inherent strengths, faces significant challenges in keeping pace with the dynamic demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

As global economies pivot towards innovation and technology, Nigerian policymakers have called for a comprehensive overhaul of the university curriculum to better address indigenous needs.

This call for reform has led to the introduction of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS), which provides a structured approach to curriculum design, ensuring 70% core courses for each programme while allowing universities to innovate with the remaining 30%.

In context of the ongoing reform, the Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has designed a template specifically aimed at enhancing the employability of graduates.

This feature article delves into Professor Okolie's innovative approach, exploring its components, partnerships, and potential impacts on students and the broader economy.

*The Call for Curriculum Reform*

Nigeria's education sector has been the subject of intense scrutiny and calls for reform. The dynamic demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution necessitate a workforce that is not only well-educated but also skilled in various innovative and technological fields.

Recognizing this need, policymakers introduced the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS). This framework ensures that 70% of university programmes consist of core courses, while the remaining 30% is reserved for courses that cater for the specific institutional strengths and regional needs.

The CCMAS framework is a significant step towards making education more relevant and practical for Nigerian students. By allowing universities the flexibility to introduce courses that address local challenges and opportunities, the CCMAS aims to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also equipped with skills that are in demand in the local and global job markets.

*Professor Okolie's Vision for ESUT*

Amidst these reforms, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has emerged as a visionary leader in the Nigerian education sector. As the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, he has recognized that traditional, certificate-based education is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of the modern workforce. Instead, he advocates for a more holistic approach to education that emphasizes practical skills and real-world experience.

"One of the ways of keeping universities going is to enter into partnerships with companies with high moral and integrity. Fundamentally, why we are interested in these partnerships is to make sure that we shift primarily away from certificate-based and dysfunctional students we produce.

"When graduates are just parading certificates and nothing more to add, it reduces the employability templates. Our goal is to advance the employability of our students," Professor Okolie explained."

To achieve this goal, Professor Okolie has implemented a comprehensive template that ensures ESUT students acquire a minimum of three different skills before reaching their third year of study. This approach not only enhances their employability but also prepares them to be job creators and financially independent upon graduation.

*Strategic Partnerships for Skill Acquisition* Central to Professor Okolie's employability template is the establishment of strategic partnerships with reputable firms and institutions. These collaborations are designed to provide students with practical skills and hands-on experience in various fields. Some of the notable partners include:
*COPEN Group:* A leading real estate development company, COPEN Group collaborates with ESUT to offer students practical experience in construction management, property development, real estate finance , and agricultural value chain.
*Multimix Academy:* Specializing in logistics and supply chain management, Multimix Academy provides ESUT students with training in areas critical to the efficient movement of goods and services. This partnership is particularly relevant given the growing importance of logistics in global trade.

*Onitsha-based Business School:*
This collaboration offers students entrepreneurial training, helping them develop business plans, secure funding, and manage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Through these partnerships, ESUT students gain access to industry-specific knowledge and skills that enhance their employability and entrepreneurial potential. These collaborations also serve to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the job market.

*The Role of ICT and Digital Skills*

In addition to industry-specific skills, Professor Okolie recognizes the critical importance of digital skills in today's job market. To this end, ESUT has acquired Afrihub, an ICT facility that is being transformed into an incubation hub. This facility will offer training in cutting-edge technologies such as Robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Blockchain among others.

The acquisition of these digital skills is essential for students to remain competitive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Acquisition of these relevant IT skills would help ESUT students to be highly sought after, especially in jobs relating to the fourth industrial revolution.

By equipping students with both traditional industry skills and advanced digital skills, ESUT aims to produce graduates who are versatile and capable of thriving in a rapidly changing job market.

*Boosting Economic Development through SME Creation*
Professor Okolie's template extends beyond individual employability to encompass broader economic development goals. By equipping students with entrepreneurial skills, ESUT aims to foster the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These SMEs are expected to play a crucial role in boosting Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating jobs for the country's teeming youth population.

Professor Okolie's template in ESUT, apart from producing graduates who would be relevant in the labour market, would equally help in producing more small and medium scale businesses which would serve as a boost to the national economy as it triggers the Gross Domestic Product, GDP, of the nation.

This focus on SME creation is particularly important in a country like Nigeria, where unemployment rates are high, and economic diversification is needed. By encouraging students to become job creators rather than job seekers, ESUT is contributing to the development of a more robust and resilient economy.
*Challenges and Future Prospects*

While Professor Okolie's template for employability represents a significant step forward, it is not without challenges. Implementing such comprehensive reforms requires substantial investment in infrastructure, training, and resources.

Additionally, fostering meaningful partnerships with industry and ensuring that students can access quality training and mentorship are ongoing challenges.However, the potential benefits of this approach far outweigh the challenges. By producing graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also skilled and entrepreneurial, ESUT is setting a new standard for higher education in Nigeria. This model has the potential to be replicated across other universities in the country, leading to a more dynamic and competitive workforce.

As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the efforts of leaders like Professor Okolie provide a blueprint for how education can be transformed to meet the needs of the future. By prioritizing practical skills, industry partnerships, and entrepreneurship, ESUT is paving the way for a new generation of graduates who are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing world.

*Conclusion*
Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie's template for employability at ESUT represents a forward-thinking approach to higher education in Nigeria. By emphasizing practical skills, strategic partnerships, and entrepreneurship, this template addresses the shortcomings of traditional, certificate-based education and prepares students for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.Through collaborations with industry leaders, the acquisition of digital skills, and a focus on SMEs creation, ESUT is equipping its graduates to be not only employable but also capable of driving economic growth.

While challenges remain, the potential impact of this approach on both individual graduates and the broader economy is immense.

As Nigeria continues to reform its education system, the example set by Professor Okolie and ESUT serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of education when it is aligned with the needs of the modern world. By prioritizing employability and innovation, Nigerian universities can produce graduates who are not only well-educated but also well-equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.