Fruits of quality training: Yaounde International Business School welcomes over 1,300 freshmen.

The freshmen were officially welcomed to the higher institution of learning during a matriculation ceremony, which held at the St. Peter and Paul Anglophone Parish Hall in Simbock on November 15, 2025.

The event was chaired by Sevidzem Patricia, Representative of the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Prof Jacques Fame Ndongo. 

The event was heavily attended by lecturers, municipal and religious authorities as well as family members of the incoming YIBS students. 

During the ceremony, it was revealed that the enrolment of Higher National Diploma, HND, for the 2025/27 school year is above 1,300 students, an improvement from the 1,000 freshmen enrolled for the last academic year.

Success is incomplete without strong moral values

In his keynote address, the Founder and President of the Board of Trustees of YIBS, Acho Godfred Taku, called on the new students to transition from High School life to another stage in their career and professional life.

He explained that professional success is incomplete without strong moral values and as such, YIBS emphasises discipline and integrity as pillars of student formation. 

“At YIBS, we are committed to providing a world-class learning environment that aligns with our ambition to become one of Africa’s leading business and professional institutions. Our strategic plan positions YIBS as a top-tier higher institute recognized for quality education, entrepreneurship, professionalism, and morality,” the Founder told the freshmen. 

Taku also reminded the students that they have earned their place in a community whose vision is to be a citadel for innovative training, that develops competent entrepreneurs and disciplined professionals to drive performance and shape the future.

‘State-of-the-art facilities’

To deliver quality education, the YIBS President said they have invested heavily in state-of-the-art facilities, designed to enhance both theoretical and practical learning. 

He said the school has a well-equipped medical laboratory and demonstration room to provide hands-on experience essential for its medical and biomedical students. 

In addition, Acho said YIBS boasts of a fully operational business incubation centre, fashion, clothing and textile laboratory, as well as its Hotel Management and Catering Laboratory, which all offer students the practical exposure needed to match industry standards. 

Ongoing efforts, he said, are being made to transform its IT laboratory, already equipped with stable internet access, into a modernised digital learning hub.

“These infrastructures ensure that our students graduate as competent, practice-oriented professionals ready to meet the demands of their fields as well as create start-up businesses,” he said. 

Conducive learning environment

Besides the many laboratories, the Founder said they recently completed an elegant seven-storey building, located beside the existing six-storey structure at YIBS Campus B in Simbock.

The new edifice, he noted, houses modern lecture halls, specialised laboratories, administrative offices, student union offices and a beautifully designed restaurant, manned by expert chefs which all help to make YIBS a comfortable and conducive learning environment.

New programmes introduced

In keeping with the strategic vision of making YIBS a school of reference in entrepreneurship and professional training within the next three to five years, 

Taku said they have introduced five new programmes, which include Civil Engineering, Agricultural and Food Sciences, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Engineering.

He emphasised that these new programmes come to complement the programmes already running across its Schools of Business and Finance, Management, Communication, Medical and Biomedical Sciences, Tourism and Hotel Management, and Computer Engineering.

“To support this expansion, we are also extending our campuses to create sufficient space for a modern sports complex, befitting a contemporary university environment,” he added.

Discipline, integrity & innovation

The YIBS Founder equally reminded the students that as they take the matriculation oath, they are joining an institution built on five essential core values of discipline, integrity, innovation, optimism, and humility which are essential in achieving academic excellence.

“Your success will depend on your commitment to these values. We are here to guide, support, challenge, and empower you but the responsibility to grow ultimately rests with you,” Taku told the freshmen.

The matriculation, YIBS Founder said, marks the beginning of a transformative chapter in the lives of the students. He urged them to embrace it with courage, curiosity, and commitment in order to shape a future full of promise and fulfilment.

It should be recalled that this transformative institution of learning has been recognised severally for its outstanding performances and uniqueness. 

These awards include the 2021 Best Higher Institute, the Best Higher Education Institute 2024, the Most Outstanding Non-State University in Central Africa 2024 and the Most Innovative Institute 2024 awards.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3629 of Wednesday November 19, 2025