[one_third][/one_third]Barely six months after matriculation, trainees at the ERuDeF Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (IBiNS) have testified of having acquired enough entrepreneurial and managerial skills that can enable them be self-employed.

They made this confession during an end-of-semester assessment meeting that took place recently at the Institute’s campus, Mile 18 Buea bringing together the Founder of IBiNs, Louis Nkembi, Program Coordinator of IBiNS, Mr. Shey Aloysius and the Director of Administration Mrs Seemnzde Ita Nawom.

The trainees, most of whom never had the professional experience demanded by non-profit organizations and companies in the country were thrilled by the diverse-amount of skills they have acquired from the Institute within “a very short period of time”. “I graduated some 3 years ago and was not able to secure a job because most NGOs and companies demanded experience, which I never had. However, IBiNs has given me the required experience; I can now conceive and write fund raising projects and execute them, manage a company, manage finances and many more. I am really happy” one of the trainees, Mrs Lea Alida Kenmene testified.

Another trainee, Ms. Blessing Limbi said the training program has made her rather versatile. “I have not only gotten the necessary check list for establishing and sustaining an NGO, which has always been my ambition, but have also improved on my professional and entrepreneurial know how with the ability to conceive and write feasible fundraising projects” she added. On a rather very elated note, other trainees including Smith Kanjo, Tengem Adeline, Kumji Hanna, Rose Enanga and Christina Enanga said they beside acquiring management and fundraising skills greatly improved on their writing and communication skills.

The trainees expressed satisfaction on the content of some essential courses like Scientific Writing and Publishing, Business Communication and Public Speaking, Financial Management, and Professional Reporting amongst others. They said that the courses are very important and are directly or indirectly linked to the realization of specialized programs.

Speaking in the meeting, the Program Coordinator, Aloysius Shey said many more professional courses will be introduced during the second semester, beginning July 2013. These courses he explained, would help to fully equip the trainees for the job market. These courses include but not limited to e-Journalsim, Social Survey, Biogeography, Wildlife ecology, Economics and financial analysis of projects, Participatory Management and Evaluation, and Publishing.

Meanwhile Louis Nkembi, advised trainees to be dynamic, punctual and consistent in the training programs, given that “we live in a competitive world and need to have basic skills in almost every field of life to be competitive.

By Betrand N. Shancho