The University of Mines and Technology in collaboration with Ladies in Mining and Allied Professions Ghana (LiMAP-Gh) and AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited (AAIL), held its second day of the students’ mentorship programme dubbed ‘Start Right, End Well’, for first-year students of the School of Railway and Infrastructure Development (SRID), Essikado. The programme, which took place on Friday, 3rd February 2023 was held under the theme, 'Undergraduate Study – Purpose, Plan, Steps' and was aimed at equipping the newly admitted students with the requisite knowledge to guide their transition into the University and to make the best of themselves in order to achieve their set goals.
The Dean of SRID and Chairman for the event, Associate Professor Issaka Yakubu in his welcome address commended AAIL for setting the pace as the first mining company to visit the SRID Campus since its establishment in 2021. He also thanked AAIL for their continuous support of the University’s programmes. Associate Professor Yakubu said that SRID will continue to support LiMAP programmes and also serve as the fulcrum to push the agenda of LiMAP within the Sekondi-Takoradi Municipality and its environs in order to guide students through their tertiary academic journey.
The Guest Speaker for the occasion Mr Stephen Adjei, Senior Manager-Sustainability, AAIL who spoke on behalf of Mr Samuel Boakye Pobee, Managing Director, AAIL expressed gratitude to the Management of the University for the opportunity given to AAIL to mentor students to enable them to take key decisions in life. Mr Adjei advised the fresh students to focus on their studies and avoid indulging in activities and keeping companies that could sway them from their set goals.
Mr Adjei disclosed that employment selection in companies such as AngloGold Ashanti is keenly contested and highly competitive and that opportunities are usually given to outstanding students. He, therefore, encouraged the students to take their studies seriously by engaging in active group studies, asking questions in class, having personal studies in the library, doing research on their own, seeking help from lecturers and authorities as well as having a personal timetable. According to Mr Adjei, having a personal timetable will guide them to follow a planned itinerary and be disciplined as well as enable them to focus on the essentials.
In his address, Mr Adjei encouraged the students to make good use of opportunities presented by industry to make the best of themselves. He indicated that AngloGold Ashanti in its quest to promote quality education will continue to sponsor and participate in educational programmes, provide scholarship opportunities to students, offer internships and national service opportunities, as well as open their doors to students for site visitations.
The programme also provided an opportunity to be mentored by a Professional Counsellor. Ms Peace Sitsofe Kploanyi, an Assistant Registrar at the University’s Counselling and Student Support Unit, and resource person for the programme also made a presentation.
Speaking on the theme, Ms Kploanyi urged the first year students to find and know their purpose in life and their reason for pursuing their degrees. She said that identifying that purpose is key to directing their life as adults. According to Ms Kploanyi in order for any person to achieve their goals and aspirations, they have to aim, run and give their best to a purpose. She also mentioned that purpose can sometimes be found through problems, passion, lack and other life experiences and that there are actions to take to achieve them. She advised students to set goals which will lead to the achievement of their purpose such as setting targets for their academic scores and study habits and also setting key indicators to show that they are on track. She encouraged students to gather more information from the classroom, useful associations and groups like LiMAP to guide the achievement of their purpose.
In her presentation, Ms Kploanyi further outlined that commitment, purpose before emotions, tying milestone tokens to achievements and mastering emotions are major steps to be taken to achieve one’s goals. She urged the students to seek help from mentors to find their purpose and hoped that the mentorship programme will prepare them for their journey in the University and make them productive and career-ready at the end of the four-year period.
The second edition of the “Start Right End Well” programme was well attended by representatives of AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Limited (AAIL), members of Ladies in Mining and Allied Professions (LiMAP), Staff of the University, Members of Faculty, and Students from the various programmes in the University.
