COOU CENTRE FOR CAREER DEVELOPMENT KICKS OFF, HOLDS INAUGURAL MEETING AND CHARGES STUDENTS ON SKILLS ACQUISITION AND CAREER PREPAREDNESS.

The Centre for Career Development, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), on Thursday, November 5, 2026, held its inaugural meeting via Zoom with the Director, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Okafor, alongside other management members and representatives of various academic programmes.

Those present at the virtual meeting included the Assistant Director, Dr. Eucharia; the Secretary, Mrs. Ijeoma Nwoye, an NYSC Corp member, Corper Elizabeth; Mr. Okolo Chinwuba; and various Course Representatives and Assistant Course Representatives.

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer led by the Director, Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Patrick Okafor. Thereafter, he delivered his opening remarks, highlighting the vision and objectives of the Centre.

He emphasised that academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient to guarantee graduates' competitiveness in today's labour market, stressing the need for students to acquire additional practical and professional skills that will enhance their career prospects.

On her own part, Dr. Eucharia Ezeumeh, Deputy Director

In collaboration with the director, the admonished the students to take advantage of the programs lined by the centre to equip themselves before graduation to be able to meet the competitive demands of the labor market .

The Director also outlined the major objectives of the Centre which is as follows:

1. Enhancing Graduate Employability

2. Career Guidance and Planning

3. Practical Skills Development

4. University-Industry Linkages

5. Enhancing University

6. Lifelong Career Support

He further encouraged the Course Representatives and their Assistants to communicate the vision of the Centre to students in their respective departments and programmes, emphasising the importance of active participation in its activities.

The meeting concluded with closing remarks by the Director, who reiterated the Centre's commitment to preparing students for the demands of the contemporary workplace through relevant skills acquisition, career development and professional guidance.

© COOUNewS, 2026.