The Plateau State University (PLASU) Alumni Association over the weekend made significant contribution with active participation at the inaugural Conference of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities (CAANU), hosted at Federal University Lafia
Led by PLASU Alumni’s President, Gotip Walide Job, the conference seeks to harness the potentials of alumni associations in shaping the future of tertiary education in the country as indispensable allies in the pursuit of academic excellence, infrastructure development, policy advocacy, and student mentorship.
Delivering the distinguished lecture, titled: Alumni Associations as instruments for change, networking, dialoguing, strengthening and fostering University/Community relations: Lessons for reflection”, Prof Andrew Haruna, former Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Gashua, stressed that “the formidable synergy forged at the CAANU are untapped resource that must be fully harnessed for the upliftment of Nigeria’s higher education sector”.
The Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State x-rayed the nexus between past and present students. He argued that “such a connexion forges a spirit of communal progress and continuity” and added that “Mentorship programs, as championed by Alumni, have been shown to be pivotal in student success and employability. The hands-on experiences and guidance that alumni can provide facilitate smoother transitions from academic life into the professional realms”.
“Furthermore, networking events organized by alumni associations introduce students to potential employers and collaborators, presenting early opportunities for career development” said Prof Haruna
PLASU Alumni Relations Officer, Comrade Fale Gwakzing Clement while speaking to www.pointblank.com.ng, stressed that “the engagement of alumni contributes significantly to the flourishing of university academia. Alumni, equipped with their industry experiences and professional achievements, provide universities with invaluable perspectives that can enhance curriculum relevance and foster academic-industry linkages”.
“PLASU Alumni’s discourse at the CAANU emphasized this, advocating for collaborative research initiatives and the sharing of expertise through guest lectures and workshops, responding to the evolving needs of the modern workforce in order to inspire current students, and impress upon them the importance of adaptable skills in an ever-changing job market”.
Fale further said “the development of cutting-edge facilities is fundamental to propelling universities to the forefront of global research and learning and alumni play critical role in resource mobilization for the realization of these facilities”.
Emphasizing the importance of the conference with an example of an alumni that changed the face of infrastructural development and raised the bars of academic performance of their university, the dynamic Publicity Secretary added that “by leveraging our networks, alumni can galvanize financial support for infrastructural projects, as evidenced by the alumni-driven initiatives at prestigious institutions worldwide. An exemplary case is Harvard University, where alumni giving has been integral to campus development”
PLASU Alumni delegation to the First Conference included Gotip Walide Job (President), Arin Marcus Atsen (Former President), Daboer David Mimiap (Secretary), Gomos Godiya Ibrahim (Treasurer) and Fale Gwakzing Clement (Relations Officer)
