Career Fair: UI, Aradel Holdings boost employability

The importance of collaboration between universities and industries in ensuring successful career placements for graduates took centre stage on Monday at the 2024 edition of the University of Ibadan (UI) career fair.

The fair, held at the UI International Conference Centre in collaboration with Aradel Holdings, an integrated energy company, and other stakeholders, aimed at keeping the university connected to the job market.

Speaking at the event, the convener of UI Career Fair 2024, Dr. Olutoyin Fashae, said that the fair aimed at bringing graduates out of the enclaves of theory to rob minds with the big players in different industries and to tap into available opportunities.

She added that the fair would be expanded to accommodate more tech giants and fintech organisations due to numerous opportunities in evolving technologies.

“We select a human resources team from notable industries for interaction with our students to enhance their employability.

“The fair has recorded huge success since its inception in 2018, and some of our graduates have secured good jobs through previous editions of the fair, “she said.

Also speaking, Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), said that the fair was extended to freshly admitted students to guide them towards the right career from the beginning.

She added that UI would continue to build on its ‘Town-and-Gown’ policies to bring more students closer to industrialists for discovery and career placement.

On his part, the Managing Director of FanMilk Nigeria PLC, Mr. Kayode Adebiyi, urged the participants to take good advantage of modern technologies and the internet to create a better future for themselves.

He charged the students to be disciplined, network appropriately, and be consistent in their engagements.

Also, the Managing Director of Aradel Holdings, Mr. Adegbite Falade, said that many students lacked clarity on what career path to take even after graduation.

He urged the graduates to think creatively about things that they could set up as businesses and grow over time, saying that the biggest employers of labour in advanced economies were small and medium-sized enterprises.

Similarly, Manufacturing Director, Unilever Nigeria PLC, Mr. Abayomi Alli, advised the students to choose good career mentors, work on their weaknesses, and go for the career that they had passion for.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, noted that securing a dream and top-notch jobs required thinking outside the box.

The VC, who was represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics, Prof. Aderonke Baiyeroju, added that the number of very competent and qualified job seekers required that the ability of a job seeker stand out in a crowd.

Supreme News reports that the event featured panel sessions, award presentations, health talks, and visitation of the booths of participants.