Acquire Skills Beyond Degrees, Don Urges Students

The Vice Chancellor of Sa’adu Zungur University (SAZU), Bauchi, Prof. Fatimah Tahir, has said the university’s responsibility goes beyond awarding degrees, stressing the need to equip students with the skills, values and confidence required to contribute meaningfully to society.

Tahir stated this during a career service training organised for 1,000 students at the university’s Gadau and Yuli campuses yesterday.

The programme, themed “From Campus to Career: Employability Skills Training Programme,” was organised by the Directorate of Human Resource and Career Development in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under its Career Service Intervention (2025) and AWS Global Technology.

The training was designed to equip students with the knowledge, practical tools and confidence needed to make informed career decisions, secure internship opportunities and compete effectively in the labour market after graduation.

Speaking, the vice chancellor said the university was committed to transforming the lives of students beyond academic qualifications by preparing them to become productive members of society and contributors to national development.

She said, “Our responsibility is to nurture graduates who possess the knowledge, skills, values and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society, create employment where necessary, and compete successfully in an ever-evolving global economy.”

Prof. Tahir said the initiative reflected the university’s commitment to producing graduates who were not only academically accomplished but also career-ready and globally competitive.

She urged students to begin planning their careers while still in the university, noting that practical skills acquired during their studies would complement their academic achievements and improve their prospects after graduation.

“The knowledge and practical skills you acquire today, whether in writing a professional résumé, succeeding in interviews, understanding your career strengths or building professional networks, will complement your achievements and position you for success after graduation,” she said.

The vice chancellor commended the Directorate of Human Resource and Career Development for its foresight, dedication and commitment to providing students with career guidance and support.

She also expressed appreciation to TETFund for sponsoring the programme and supporting the university’s development initiatives.

Earlier, the Director of the Centre, Dr Wasilu Suleiman, said the training was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace expectations.

He noted that while academic qualifications remained important, employers were increasingly looking for graduates with strong communication, critical thinking, teamwork, adaptability, leadership and problem-solving skills.