In a bid to position final year students of secondary schools at a vantage position and also sensitize them on the challenges of transiting to tertiary education, TopFaith University in collaboration with Standard Mandate International (SMI) and Thomas Abraham Foundation, held an Education Summit at the main auditorium of the University of Lagos, last Saturday.
The well attended event which the organizers aptly themed ‘Getting It Right’ is essentially a preparatory and motivational platform for final year students in Nigerian Secondary Schools and beyond.
The Transition To University Education Summit ( TTUES 2024) planned as a one-day conference also sought to enlighten students on various aspects of university education, such as admission procedures, mental and psychological preparation for challenges, exposure to the university learning system and career counseling.
The commendable summit is quite imperative given the fact that it has afforded a framework for the students to gain vital knowledge and guidance as they warm up for the next phase of their academic life and general development.
In an opening speech, the Managing Consultant of Standard Mandate International (SMI), Dr. Nelson Ayodele harped on the need for students to engage in effective preparation and goal-setting to enable them transit to university life.
Said he, “Building a positive mindset has a significant impact on the mental and physical well-being of students. Those with a positive mindset are more likely to succeed academically and enjoy the learning environment.”
He went on to point out common transition challenges such as psychological hurdles, self-doubt, insecurity, and adjusting to new social environments.
He stressed the need for students to acquire essential skills such as self-regulated learning, personal development, social and emotional learning, and financial management to navigate these challenges successfully.
While addressing the students, in a keynote speech, the Chairman of the Governing Board of TopFaith University, Dr. Emmanuel A. Abraham, reiterated the summit’s goal of guiding graduating students towards the right universities and empowering them to build successful careers.
The varsity proprietor emphasized the importance of social corporate responsibility and national growth in organizing such initiatives.
The keynote speech which focused on “21st Century Education Skills and Career Choices,” highlighted the significance of creativity, collaboration, and communication skills in our current educational reality.
Dr. Abraham admonished the students to prioritize knowledge and skill acquisition, emphasizing the need to unlearn and relearn for personal and societal development.
He also took out time to address the challenges within the Nigerian education system, and called for a shift in mindset towards valuing and contributing to the existing educational infrastructure.
Having identified policy inconsistency as a major weakness of governance in Nigeria, Dr Abraham expressed the view that consistent and sustainable policies from the Ministry of Education, was vital to improving the standard of education across the country.
