At matriculation ceremony: ICT University founder unveils 5 billion FCFA project for economic growth.

This was during the 14th matriculation ceremony of the ICT University, held on the Yaounde-Nyom campus of the prestigious higher institute.

United States-based Prof Victor Mbarika, who presented the project, said the whopping sum made available by the ICT University, will be invested in various sectors, including agriculture, real estate, health care, rural development and ICTs.

The revered Professor of ICT, told the gathering, attended by traditional rulers and distinguished personalities from the academia, that: “We will be investing 5 billion FCFA in Cameroon’s economy, within the next ten years, in the areas of agriculture, health care, real estate as well as ICTs. We will be working with a number of young people. The projects have started by the way. It will be one of our biggest investments in the country so far”.

Prof Mbarika stated that: “…5 billion FCFA is what we want to put into the economy. It could be more. We are investing in other countries. The 5 billion FCFA project will employ 2,000 young people, with 500 of them from the North West and South West Regions, who have been devastated by the ongoing armed conflict. We will get jobs for them”.

He said the agriculture project, which is part of the initiative, will be ICT-based agriculture: “where they will be using robotics in agriculture. They will be able to sit and clear the farm, plant crops but they are the ones controlling the robots. We are bringing that to Cameroon”.

ICT University committed to job creation

When Prof Victor Mbarika, who sits atop the ICT University board, mounted the rostrum yesterday, he first thanked the students for choosing the ICT University.

He assured the freshmen, who are part of the batch, christened: “The George Mbarika Batch,” that they will be trained to become job creators and not job seekers.

The University don boasted that: “ICT University doesn’t train people to go and look for jobs. ICT University will train you to own your own business and to be your own entrepreneurs…to create jobs. We don’t train lazy people who wait for government to employ them. We will train you to become business gurus. That is why ICT University is envied in Sub Saharan Africa to the extend that those who can’t beat us go around spreading rumour about us”.

Enter ICT University VC

Speaking earlier yesterday, the Vice Chancellor of the ICT University, renowned Prof Jean Emmanuel Pondi, thanked the students for flagging off their university journey with the ICT University.

The one-time Director of the International Relations Institute of Yaounde, IRIC, explained to the learners that Prof Mbarika created the ICT University as part of his desire to give back to his community and native continent.

He was quick to warn the students against deviant behaviours on campus. 

He was blunt that the ICT University has zero tolerance for malpractices such as cheating and the consumption of alcohol while on campus.

The former Deputy Rector of the University of Yaounde I, admonished the students: “As you begin your journey with us, this shouldn’t be seen as a time to enjoy liberty from parental control. This is not a time to party…there is no success without self-disciplined and without hard work. So, we ask you to concentrate on work and to do the best that you can”.

He said: “The ICT University has made available for you a lot of modern infrastructure…learning material as well as relaxation facilities to ease your stay here”.

“We want you to feel at ease here. If there is any problem, don’t hesitate to contact us. Don’t hesitate to contact the administration. It is important for you to know that the ICT University is fully recognised by the State. From March 14, 2023, the ICT University became a university under the mentorship of the University of Buea,” he told the freshmen.

Meanwhile in an interview with pressmen shortly after the matriculation, Prof Pondi reiterated the need for the new students to be disciplined and hard working throughout their stay on the campus of the ICT University.

He has urged them to make the best of out of their stay on campus, insisting that: “We stand for excellence”.

“We want the students to know that they are coming here not to joke. We want them to be extremely diligent and to be good in what they. We want them to be job creators and most importantly, we want them to be the best who they can be. We have taken the firm commitment to bring all our facilities, human resources, material and financial resources to help them attain their goals,” he concluded.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3267 of Tuesday October 22, 2024