International Credit Union Day: Rainbow Cam engages higher education students for job market.

The celebration involved a cumulation of activities ranging from sporting activities, caravans and concluded with a workshop with students of the National Polytechnic University Institute of Bambui, NPUI, and those of the Higher Institute of Commerce and Management, HICM, of the University of Bamenda, UBa.

The events, which took place on Wednesday October 18 and Thursday October 19, were chaired by the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs of NPUI, Ngong Genesis and the Director of HICM, Prof Njimanted Godfrey.

Also present was Achidi Achu Jennette, the representative of the Board of Directors, BOD, Chair of Rainbow Cam, Heads of Departments, managers of credit unions and students.

The 75^th International Credit Union Day was celebrated under the theme: "Celebrating the spirit of global credit union movement".

Students receiving prizes from Rainbow Cam officials 

Preparing minds of students for professional career

According to the representative of the BOD Chair of Rainbow Cam, Achidi Achu Jennette, Rainbow Cam took the celebration to some higher institutions of learning to raise awareness on the importance of credit unions, what they offer and also what the population stands to benefit as members of credit unions.

Achidi Jennette also said their reason for targeting students in the financial sector in both institutions was to better prepare their minds on their professional career.

"Both professional schools have departments with students who are out to study the management of finances. So choosing them is to let them understand the job market and that if they are here studying, is because there are institutions out there waiting to absorb them," she said.

The representative of the BOD Chair of Rainbow Cam also said the students are future entrepreneurs and Rainbow Cam is now available to prepare them for the future.

HICM Director, Prof Njimanted Godfrey, giving speech during event

Enter Directors

According to the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs at NPUI, Ngong Genesis, the celebration was timely, especially to the students. 

He added that the knowledge shared will help final year students to easily choose their research topics.

For his part, the Director of HICM, Prof Njimanted Godfrey, applauded Rainbow Cam for choosing his school. 

He said the workshop was coming as practical to compliment what they have been teaching students in class.

"It compliments that part of teaching with the part of creativity, which HICM is highly recognised for and continues to solicit. The presence of this microfinance institution here will make the banking and finance, accounting and finance students have additional credit by seeing the essence to which the learning they are going through is complimented by the activities they will meet on the field," Prof Njimanted added. 

While calling on the students to work extremely hard to stand out in the job market, Prof Njimanted also called on the microfinance institutions to continue opening their doors to students during internships, and when employment opportunities come.

Rainbow Cam members & affiliates in group picture with students 

The occasion also witnessed several presentations on the products and services of credit unions and the history of credit unions, among others.

It was revealed that there are about 600 credit unions in Cameroon, with just about 1.8% of the population being members.

With about 40 credit unions in their network, Rainbow Cam celebrated the occasion with affiliates like the Ntarinkon Cooperative Credit Union, Bafut Cooperative Credit Union, Bamenda III Credit Union and others.

At the end of the event, students were encouraged to open accounts with Rainbow Cam or any of its affiliates to start saving for their future and also networking.

The event ended with the award of prizes to students who participated in debates organised by Rainbow Cam.