In a landmark decision aimed at advancing student career development, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, has upgraded the Employability and Benchmarking Committee to a Standing Committee status on November 22, 2024, at the Green Chamber.
The Chairman of the Committee, Prof. Olukayode Akinyemi, who is also the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), congratulated the newly appointed members drawn from various Colleges across the University. He provided an overview of the proposed employability and benchmarking policies, highlighting the Committee’s strategic role in fostering holistic student development.
In her remarks, the Alternate Chairman, Prof. Iyabode Kehinde, presented insights into the Career Services and Linkages Unit (CSLU), which was central to the Committee’s objectives. Prof. Kehinde, also the Dean of the College of Biosciences (COLBIOS), noted that the CSLU was inspired by the Federal Government’s employability enhancement initiatives, following recommendations from the National Employability Benchmarking Baseline Assessment Report submitted to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in December 2023.
She emphasised that the CSLU was designed to tackle graduate unemployment by equipping students with globally relevant skills and opportunities. Prof. Kehinde elaborated on the CSLU’s vision and mission, focusing on career coaching, industry-alumni linkages, and equipping students for future career success.
Further expanding on the CSLU’s operational framework, Dr. Matthew Oose, Head of the Unit, outlined its core objectives and three functional pillars, which were Training and Workshop Development, as well as Alumni Relations and Industry Linkages.
Dr. Oose stressed the importance of formalising these collaborations through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with development partners to ensure sustainable impact.
The elevation of the Employability and Benchmarking Committee marks a significant milestone in FUNAAB’s efforts to prepare its students for a competitive and dynamic job market. The initiative underscores the University’s unwavering commitment to equipping its graduates with the skills, networks, and opportunities necessary to thrive, further solidifying FUNAAB’s reputation as a leader in academic excellence and career development.
