At graduation of fresh batch of innovative professionals: Gov’t hails quality training at Yaounde International Business School.

This was during the ceremony to send forth YIBS second batch of graduating students. The colourful and highly attended graduation ceremony was organised at the Saint Peter and Paul Parish Hall in Simbock-Yaounde, on November 25, 2023.

The MINPMESSA boss’ representative equally expressed his confidence in the graduating students, whom he said would impact the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises, SME ecosystem in Cameroon. 

While reiterating the readiness of MINPMESSA to work with YIBS, he said he was profoundly impressed by what he witnessed during the institution’s Open Door Day, organised last October in Yaounde.   

“If we have these young ones who are already into these kinds of innovations, then we believe that emergence by 2035 will be no slogan,” the MINPMESSA official stated. 

Meanwhile, speaker after speaker at the 2023 batch of graduands of YIBS, challenged them to use the skills acquired to impact Cameroon’s economic transformation. 

Speaking at the ceremony on “Emerging E-novators”, the Vice Chancellor of YIBS, Prof Anyambod Emmanuel Anya, reminded the graduating students that their brains and minds have been ticked to create something new.

“You have been trained to make a debut in life towards the economic transformation of the society,” he said, adding that “…you are graduating at a time when there are many economic and socio-political upheavals in the country, coupled with a high level of unemployment and criminality…”

Prof Anyambod went on to add that “YIBS has given to you the tools and the skills with which you have to face these foreseeable challenges and even predict absolute solutions through entrepreneurship”.

Under the mentorship of the University of Bamenda, UBa, the referred Professor noted that YIBS has given them the opportunity to emerge from their “ghettos of semi-darkness” to the “surface of or rise above the ordinary”, to a high level of creativity as a result of the tools dished out to them through their studies and experimentations.

“The knowledge which you have gained should not be kept in your closets…do not fall into the temptation of developing the syndrome of dependency. YIBS has prepared you to face life creatively and you have to be innovative; hence the theme of your graduation: Emerging E-novators,” he re-echoed. 

YIBS President addressing graduands, collaborators and guests

Call to innovate

The Vice-Chancellor in his message also sounded the need for the outgoing students to use their knowledge of the digital technology to emerge and to innovate electronically. 

“Come out of the closets and create something new for yourself, your community and your nation,” he charged the graduands.

Prof Anyambod further stressed that: “The time is now, not tomorrow. Make the difference now…become an entrepreneur now not tomorrow. Get out there, create jobs, employ others and cause an economic revolution of an emerging economy through E-Commerce. Be an E-novator and life shall never be the same anymore”.

He equally used the occasion to salute the efforts of parents who worked hard to enhance the lives of their children. 

He then called on parents to grant the new graduates the necessary moral, financial and social cohesion support to be real winners capable of causing an economic transformation of the country and to bring to reality the emergence vision by 2035.

“You have run the race together with them to the crossing line to be declared a winner,” he commended.

UBa mentorship saluted 

The YIBS Vice Chancellor also acknowledged the quality supervision and mentorship they have enjoyed as a mentee institution of the University of Bamenda, UBa.

“...I sincerely wish to thank its administration for the Quality Assurance Monitoring Exercise that has been ably carried out at YIBS, whose results we see in the graduation today,” the YIBS administrator stated.  

In the same vein, he recognised YIBS’ administrative and academic staff for their resilience, devotion and commitment towards preparing the outgoing students. 

YIBS administrators immortalising event

YIBS President lauds collaborators

In his remark, the President YIBS Board of Trustees, Godfred Taku Acho, lauded his collaborators who worked with the graduating students during their study programme. 

According to the YIBS President, staff, lecturers likewise administrators of YIBS, are making immense contribution to nurturing, concretising and accomplishing the vision of the institution, and ensuring the success of the graduating students.

He then led the students to a standing ovation for all the lecturers and administrators of the prestigious institution.

While congratulating the graduands, he said he was confident in the formal knowledge, professional development skills, and ethical values that his team has imparted into students during their stay at YIBS.

“I am elated to speak to you today as you commence a new journey in your professional career, amidst the seen and unforeseen challenging of this unique era,” he noted, adding that “I know that with clear focus and determination, you are a victor because YIBS has equipped you with the necessary tools to be productive and resourceful at your respective work places or in your own company”.

Officials during graduating YIBS ceremony

Graduands express gratitude to management

Speaking on behalf of the graduating students, Penn Hardison Khan, who emerged Best Student at the Masters’ level, appreciated the YIBS management for grooming them through the different programmes. 

“Today, I am so happy with everyone who helped me complete this programme. 

From my family, the school administrators and especially the lecturers who gave their all for us to graduate today,” Khan said. 

“I am so overwhelmed and lack words for all who stood by my mates and I,” he added. 

Penn graduated from the Accounting and Finance Department with 3.67/4 GPA. 

Just like his fellow best graduating students of the High National Diploma, HND and Bachelors’ degree levels, Khan received cash prizes from YIBS President, partners and sponsors for outstanding performances.

“I want to thank all the sponsors who thought of appreciating us for our efforts. I must mention here that the YIBS President, Ntarinkon Cooperative Credit Union and the Fomunyoh Foundation for their gifts,” the elated graduand propounded.

It is worth noting that the ceremony of the second batch of YIBS’ graduation, was placed under the theme: “E-novation and entrepreneurial thinking in an emerging society”.

The ceremony was marked by the award of prizes to some outstanding students, |devoted lecturers and administrators during the previous and current school years.