ARUA, CoE-USD International Webinar Series 1.0: WORLD YOUTH SKILLS DAY (WYSD) 2020

The United Nations (UN) in 2014 designated July 15 as World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) for the purpose of recognizing and promoting skills development among the youths worldwide.  This year, the WYSD focused on “Skills for a Resilient Youth in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond.” In line with our mission of developing innovative solutions to youth employment challenges in Africa, we joined the rest of the world to celebrate the recognition of skills development among African youths in general with the theme:

“Resilient African Youths and Tomorrow’s World of Work – What Employability and Entrepreneurial Skills will be required?” 

For this event, we had world class speakers, eminent academic scholars, industrialists, and entrepreneurs and they were able to talk to several burning issues around skills development among the African youths. Our speakers included Professor Tony Bailetti (Carleton University, Canada); Dr. Priscilla Baffour (University of Ghana, Ghana); Dr. Joy Kiiru (University of Nairobi, Kenya); Associate Professor Sunday Adebisi (University of Lagos, Nigeria); Mrs Toki Mabogunje (President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI – Nigeria); Professor Kesh Govinder (University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa); Dr. Akanimo Odon (Africa Strategy & Buisness Expert, Lancaster University, UK) and Professor Dimmy Doresca (Director, Institute of International Business, IOWA University, USA).

A few of the topics discussed during the webinar included:

(i) Exploring Techpreneurship Opportunities for African Youth: Lessons from North America

(ii) The Soft skills that will matter for African youths in the Tomorrows’ World of Work

(iii) Rethinking University Entrepreneurial Ecosystems for Job Creation and Improved Students’ Preparedness for Tomorrow’s World of Work

(iv) Building Resilience for Tomorrow’s Job Disruptions: What are the Options for the African youths?

(v) Global Citizenship and the Changing Workplace: The Coping Strategies for African Youth

(vi)Required adaptation Strategies to Job Disruption in Tomorrow’s World of Work amidst Growing Automation

(vii) The Severity of Youth Unemployment in Africa in the COVID-19 era: What does the Future hold?”

(viii) Making Entrepreneurship a Culture for African Youths in Tackling Unemployment Occasioned by COVID-19 era

To watch the video of these presentations, kindly visit our YouTube page using the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn6MBB19RP0