UNIOSUN launches empowerment scheme for undergraduates

• Introduces start-up funds for alumni members

In line with its resolve to provide qualitative teaching and learning which will engender the production of entrepreneurial graduates capable of impacting the society, Osun State University has launched an empowerment scheme for its teeming undergraduates.

This came as the university management expressed its readiness to assist any alumnus that has a bankable proposal with a start-up fund to achieve his or her dream to reduce unemployment in the society.The vice chancellor, Prof Labode Popoola explained that the empowerment scheme gives room for any interested and bonafide students of the institution to study and work in the school while receiving a monthly stipend.

Prof Popoola disclosed that the scheme has so far helped a lot of UNIOSUN undergraduate students going through difficult times financially, thereby fulfilling one of the key objectives of the programme.

Speaking with one of the beneficiaries of the scheme, Winjobi Olajide, a 300 level student of the Information and Communication Technology who is currently working as a graphic design officer, lauded the institution’s management for introducing the scheme, saying he has been given series of opportunity to showcase his talent by designing a lot of wonderful things for the university.

“Ever since I started working with the university on this scheme, lots of companies and businesses have been calling me to come and do some graphics works for them too and this made me believe that whenever I complete my studies, it will not be a problem for me to get a good job or start on my own,” Winjobi added.

Another student on the scheme, Ola Rebecca Adura who is currently working in the library unit of the university said she chose to work in the library to be able to have free access to books and have an opportunity to read and come out in flying colors.Adura said, “My vision is to graduate with good grades and I know that the little resources I have might not be able to give me access to enough books and even funds to support myself, so I decided to register for the scheme.”

Commenting on the benefits of the scheme, Prof Popoola said the university is still working hard to expand the programme to be able to assist more financially challenged students so that they don’t become disadvantaged academically while going through their temporary challenges.“The student empowerment programme has indeed been of immense help to UNIOSUN undergraduates either by way of providing the much needed extra income, discovering hidden abilities and potentials, or gaining work experience and that is why the university management is raising the ladder by creating a startup fund for alumni members,” the vice chancellor stated.