Samsung Engineering Academy, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative between Samsung Electronics and the Lagos State government through the World Bank-supported Eko Project, have graduated 67 technicians from the academy.
The new graduates joined 118 others who have passed through the Academy over the last four years. The graduates who are expected to deepen the pool of well trained technicians in the country, were all given tool boxes in line with their specialised trade area, to better equip them for the future as entrepreneurs or as part of a skilled workforce
Speaking at the ceremony, a representative of Lagos Eko Project, Sunday Awefi, stated that the Samsung Engineering Academy is a great initiative, which has given hope to youths with technical skills and has also equipped them to become technicians in electronics engineering, in addition to knowledge relevant in the changing world. It is a tremendous improvement to the Country’s technology sector, he said.
According to Awefi, the engineers are now well equipped with sound technical skills, which will help them build a better future for themselves while contributing towards driving Nigeria’s economic growth and development.
Managing Director for Samsung West Africa, Changwook Lee, stated that the Samsung Engineering Academy revolutionizes traditional education by providing technical and vocational training for school learners, tertiary students and unemployed youth. This links to Samsung’s goal to create a sustainable and meaningful contribution to education and employability.
“Samsung’s aim is to build successful partnerships in Nigeria to equip the country’s youth with the technical skills they need to transform their lives and contribute to the development of the country,” he stated.
According to the Corporate Citizenship Manager at Samsung West Africa, Abosede George-Ogan, the academy was established to empower indigent Nigerians and positively impact communities. Since its inception, about two hundred students have been trained.
“Innovation is at the heart of what we do, and we believe education is the seed of innovation. Our hope is that through initiatives like the Samsung Engineering Academy we can empower the youth by creating opportunities that will lead to sustainable employment,” George-Ogan added.
The overall best student, Jaiyeola Kareem, said: “Very few individuals at my level have had the opportunity to be a part of such a programme, especially one sponsored by a global organization like Samsung. The entire programme was exciting and also very challenging.”
“As a direct result of my training at the academy, I am now better equipped as an engineer. Using the Samsung Engineering Academy as a platform to empower young people like myself is rewarding not just for me, but for the people around me – my community, Nigeria and Africa as a whole.”
The Samsung Engineering Academy enrolls over 1000 students yearly across various countries in Africa with the aim of closing the gap between skills and demand in the job market.
