FUTO and Regalo Hope Foundation Partner to Empower Students with Career-Ready Skills

The Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), in a significant move to enhance student employability, successfully hosted a "Career and Leadership Empowerment Workshop." This initiative, a collaboration with the Regalo Hope Foundation, is part of a wider strategy by the Career Services and Counseling Centre (CSCC) to provide career readiness and skill acquisition support. The CSCC, which is supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), aims to implement its programmes by leveraging the rich capital of FUTO alumni.

The workshop was designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of career planning and personal development. The event covered crucial topics such as:

• Self Discovery: Helping students identify their strengths, passions, and career aspirations.
• Strategic Career Planning: Offering guidance on how to set and achieve professional goals.
• Developing a Positive Attitude: Instilling the mindset necessary for personal and professional growth.
• Personal Branding: Teaching students how to build a strong, professional reputation.
• Networking: Providing tips on how to build and maintain professional connections.

Prof. Oforegbunam Thaddeus Ebiringa, the Director of the CSCC, highlighted the importance of this partnership, particularly in leveraging the university's alumni network. "Our mission is to ensure FUTO graduates are not just academically sound but are also equipped with practical, industrial-based skills," he stated. "This partnership with the Regalo Hope Foundation is a testament to our commitment to bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and the real-world demands of the labour market by harnessing the rich FUTO Alumni Capital."

The founder of Regalo Hope Foundation, Chinenye Onuorah, who is a 2009 graduate of Biomedical Technology, Federal University of Technology Owerri, expressed her foundation's dedication to empowering young Nigerians. "Many students lack access to the kind of critical information and mentorship that can prepare them for life after school," she noted. She emphasized that the workshop is one of many initiatives by the foundation to equip youth with both digital and vocational skills.

The workshop was well-received by attendees, who appreciated the practical advice and engaging sessions. The collaboration between FUTO and the Regalo Hope Foundation marks a significant step forward in the university's ongoing efforts to create a new generation of job creators and leaders.