The University of Mines and Technology has hosted the 3rd Edition of the Exit in Readiness Mentorship Programme under the theme “Employability Chapter, Transitioning into the World with Confidence”. The annual mentorship programme which was put together by AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine and the Ladies in Mining and Allied Professionals, Ghana (LiMaP-GH) aims at facilitating the smooth transition of final years student of the University from the academic environment into the world of work through a series of activities such as mock interviews, talks etc.
Opening the 3rd Edition of the programme Professor Grace Ofori-Sarpong, the Founder and President of the Ladies in Mining and Allied Profession, Ghana (LiMAP-GH) congratulated the final-year students for the significant milestones they had achieved in their education said that it is necessary to mentor and prepare the minds of young graduates before they leave the academic environment to enter the world of work. She encouraged the students to open themselves up, assimilate and be guided by the various ethical demands and codes of conduct in the working environment.
The Guest Speaker and Acting Managing Director of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, Ing Isaac Boakye Aduenin in his address to the graduating students said that it is important to thank the University, LiMAP-Ghana and the Iduapriem Mine for creating the opportunity for them to interact with professionals and get some of their nagging questions answered. Advising the graduands, Ing Aduenin said that employers do not take an interest in applicants who enter interview rooms to beg for jobs. Rather, they are on the lookout for human resources who are self-aware of the benefits that companies will derive from them. He encouraged the students to place value on the education they have acquired and be ready for the various opportunities they would come across. He further advised the students, not to downplay the principles and theories they learned while in the classroom, but to apply them logically and correctly on the field.
Highlighting some of the qualities that make employees stay relevant in organisations, Ing Aduenin advised the students to hone their skills and personal attributes. He said that broadening one’s skills level and attributes is necessary at any stage of one’s working life and contributes to their employability. He counselled the students to stay motivated, keep good attitudes, practise good time management and constantly innovate through the use of modern technologies.
Delivering his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University and Chairman for the programme, Professor Richard Kwasi Amankwah expressed his excitement about the theme for the programme. He said the topics discussed had been exhaustive and he was happy that students had been presented with some of the realities of life and how to manage spaces and events that may not be supposedly in their best interests. Professor Amankwah said that it is important to plan for the future. However, plans may not always go as envisaged. He therefore encouraged the students not to lose hope in their dreams, especially in the face of challenges. He encouraged them not to limit themselves to ideal jobs which may not exist but to keep their options open and consider all opportunities that life will present them, especially in entrepreneurial ventures.
As part of the 3rd Exit in Readiness Mentorship programme, students were taken through mock interviews by panellists from AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem and the University of Mines and Technology. The session sought to test the confidence, composure, presentation skills, CV presentation etc. After the session, the students were given the opportunity to discuss and ask questions. The panel for the interview session included Mr Stephen Adjei, the Senior Manager for Sustainability at AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine, Professor Solomon Nunoo, Dean of the Panning and Quality Assurance Unit, Mr Theophilus Andoh Robertson, Head of the Counselling and Student Support Unit, and Ms Peace Sitsophe Kpolanyi, Assistant Registrar at the Counselling and Student Support Unit.
The 2023 edition of the Exit in Readiness Mentorship programme was held on Friday, 15th September, 2023.
