At convocation ceremony: LAHIBATS graduates urged to adopt solution-oriented mindset to tackle challenges.

This was during the convocation ceremony of the fourth badge of students dubbed “Innovative Entrepreneurs”.  

The grandiose ceremony was attended by the representative of the Minister of Higher Education, the school’s proprietor, the Managing Director, teaching and administrative staff as well as parents and guardians, among other dignitaries.

According to the Director of Academic Affairs, Dr Ndage Kizito Nji, a total of 52 students from the Higher National Diploma, HND, Bachelors and Master’s were deemed worthy in character and learning and admitted for graduation. 

“Identify problems, provide solutions”

In an academic discourse, the keynote speaker, Prof Pascal Kum Awah, told graduating students that graduation is an achievement and the start of a new beginning. 

Prof Awah, who serves as Inspector General of Programmes, Teaching, Methods and Training at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education, revealed that there are several opportunities for them and enjoined the graduands to seize them although they will be venturing into a complex world. 

The distinguished professor of Anthropology, who is also National Coordinator of the National Civic Education Programme through Moral, Civic and Entrepreneurial Re-armament, PRONEC-REAMORCE, enjoined the graduands to identify a problem and provide a solution. He said their ideas have the potential to scale globally and have impact in society. 

“Do not ask yourself what job you can find but what problem you can solve. Go forward with the conviction that the world is full of problems that need to be solved,” Prof Awah mentioned. 

He also underscored the need to “use technology wisely to identify problems and solutions”. 

“You are graduating at a time when the world has evolved and is dominated by technology. You have to be ambitious and disciplined. That way you can have global exposure. You have to be curious,” Prof Awah said. 

Enter LAHIBATS Managing Director 

According to the Managing Director of LAHIBATS, Etampe Massango, the convocation ceremony represents a mark of academic achievement, hard work, success and innovation. 

The event, Massango said, was also part of the institution’s vision to train graduates who are not job seekers but ready to shape the future. 

He explained that the fourth badge of students were labelled the badge of Innovative Entrepreneurs because they have shown a lot of creativity in their studies and entrepreneurial skills. 

Massango told the graduating students to embrace the values of discipline and respect and to believe in their potential. He said the world demands adaptability, collaboration, innovation and not only certificates. 

“They have been trained, equipped and empowered with the necessary skills to integrate this fast-growing economy especially in an era of digitalisation and artificial intelligence,” Massango told reporters.

“They should be able to integrate those skills, make good use of the opportunities that are there and also to know that the certificates that they have are not enough. It is about being relevant for our community, society,” Massango added.

Also, in a bid to reward academic performance and promote professionalism and excellence, awards and scholarships were handed to some meritorious students of the HND, Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes. 

The Managing Director said LAHIBATS remains committed to supporting their students to pursue their studies at every stage of their academic journey.   

Graduates says committed to make positive change 

One graduating Master’s students, and president of LAHIBATS student union president, Cham Gisele Zou, said the graduation ceremony represents a milestone. 

“It feels fantastic and wonderful graduating from a prestigious institution. I am really excited because I am going out there aiming higher,” Zou said. 

“I intend to set up my personal business to prove the entrepreneurship skills that I have learnt from this institution,” Zou hinted. 

Another graduate, Nfor Leopold, who graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in education, disclosed that after his graduation, he looks forward to shaping the education landscape of Cameroon. 

“We know about the new pedagogic approach nurturing students to become entrepreneurs and job creators. This is what I am going to be doing and ensure that the nation of Cameroon goes forward,” Nfor said. 

Students take matriculation oath 

The convocation ceremony also witnessed the matriculation of newly admitted students to the institution. 

During the ritual, the scores of students were told to take full advantage of their institution’s academic programmes. The newly admitted students were also called upon to be disciplined, and respectful. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3627 of Monday November 17, 2025