The Digitized Initiative For Up-Skilling, Career Development And Initiative, DIUSCADI, has organized 'Life After School Career Development Seminar Series 7.0’ for students and graduates of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and various tertiary institutions in Anambra State, aimed at preparing them for life beyond the classroom in a rapidly evolving society.

Addressing over one thousand participants during the programme held at the ASUU Secretariat, the Convener of DIUSCADI, Professor Ikechukwu Umeh, explained that the programme is designed to ensure that students, after graduation, are ready to transit from academia to professionalism with the skills they have combined with the certificate they acquire from the University.

Professor Umeh, who disclosed that the initiative has produced many job creators rather than job seekers, pointed out that DIUSCADI is committed to curbing the mentality that education is a scam and that a certificate is an employment letter.

On his part, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development in Anambra State, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, who described the seminar as apt, disclosed that through the Solution Innovation District and One Youth Two Skills programme of the Soludo-led administration, thousands of youths have benefited in digital skills, technology training, artificial intelligence, software development, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills.

In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Bond Anyaehie, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Alex Asigbo, said that the programme is a call on students to develop an entrepreneurial spirit around their course and empower themselves with extra knowledge so that they will be self-employed after school rather than depending on government for employment, while the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Finance, Mr. Brian Okwuogu, who represented the Commissioner for Finance, assured that the state government will continually provide funds, leadership, and mentorship for all participating in the seminar because it places a high premium on youth development.

The programme featured a panel discussion where the discussants harped on the need for young people to acquire practical skills and knowledge online that will make them problem solvers and self-reliant, as well as the presentation of awards of excellence to some personalities who have contributed immensely to the success of LASCADSS.