The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Professor Chike Princewill, has urged students to look beyond academic qualifications by acquiring practical, digital and entrepreneurial skills that will enable them to compete successfully in the global labour market after graduation.
The Vice-Chancellor made the call during a Job Readiness Orientation Programme organised by the Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) Foundation in collaboration with Developé U and the Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) Programme, with support from the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.
The programme, held at the CBN Centre of Excellence on the University’s campus, brought together final-year students for intensive sessions designed to prepare them for employment, entrepreneurship and career development in an increasingly competitive global economy.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Advancement), Professor Princewill commended the organisers for introducing an initiative that complements classroom learning with career-focused training, noting that higher education institutions must deliberately prepare students for life beyond graduation.
He said employers now seek graduates who possess not only academic knowledge but also critical thinking, communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving and digital competencies required in today’s workplace.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, universities have a responsibility to produce graduates who are innovative, adaptable and capable of responding to rapidly changing economic and technological realities.
He encouraged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the orientation programme by actively engaging in the training sessions, developing practical skills and embracing opportunities that would enhance their employability and global competitiveness.
Professor Princewill also emphasised the growing importance of lifelong learning, urging students to continuously improve their knowledge and competencies even after graduation in order to remain relevant in evolving industries.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the TAGDev 2.0 Programme, Professor Ibisime Etela, welcomed participants and explained that the orientation was specifically designed to equip final-year students with the knowledge, confidence and professional skills needed to transition successfully from the university environment into the world of work.
He noted that the programme seeks to bridge the gap between academic training and industry expectations by exposing students to career planning, workplace ethics, professional networking, leadership development and employment readiness strategies.
Etela added that preparing students before graduation would improve their chances of securing meaningful employment, establishing successful enterprises and contributing positively to national development.
Education experts say employability and career-readiness programmes have become increasingly important as universities respond to changing labour market demands and the need to reduce graduate unemployment.
They argue that while academic excellence remains essential, graduates who possess practical workplace skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and digital literacy are better positioned to succeed in today’s knowledge-driven economy.
The orientation also reflects the growing collaboration between universities, development organisations and international partners to strengthen graduate employability through capacity-building initiatives that combine academic learning with practical career preparation.
Observers note that such interventions are helping reshape higher education by ensuring graduates leave university not only with certificates but also with the competencies, confidence and professional mindset required to thrive in diverse career paths.
The University of Port Harcourt reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote student development, innovation and career success, describing graduate employability as a key component of quality higher education and sustainable national development.
