By Abdulfatah Babatunde
Lagos, April 25, ’25 (TNZ) Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) has recorded a significant milestone in its Academia-Industry partnership internships programme.
TheNewsZenith reports that under the programme, at least ten top-performing students of the college have secured juicy internship placements with FrieslandCampina WAMCO PLC, Nigeria.
They clinched the internship during the institution’s maiden edition of the CareerLeap Series.
The theme of the CareerLeap Series, is “Fostering Strategic Collaboration between Industry and Educational Institutions to Mould Future Frontrunners”
The College designed the programme to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry demands.
The initiative is a result of a strategic partnership between Yabatech and FrieslandCampina, a collaboration lauded by stakeholders for its potential to transform the future of technical education and talent development in Nigeria.
Dr Ibraheem Abdul, the Rector of Yabatech, expressed appreciation to FrieslandCampina for its commitment to student success.
Abdul reiterated the importance of such platforms in aligning academic training with real-world needs.
”Opportunities like this allow our students to learn directly from visionary leaders driving global trends in dairy innovation, sustainability, and talent development,” he said.
The Rector remarked that the collaboration could spark further research partnerships and industry-led curricula.
”It can also lead to the establishment of innovation hubs, all aimed at preparing students for the realities of the workforce.”
Addressing the students, Royal FrieslandCampina CEO, Van Karnebeek, underscored the critical role of industrial exposure in building a future-ready workforce.
Karnebeek recalled that Yabatech has produced alumni who have risen to national and industry prominence.
”The change begins from this room. Yabatech is shaping your ability to think critically.
Read Related News:
”Our role is to complement this with practical experience and the right soft skills to help you lead the industry,” TheNewsZenith quotes Karnebeek, as saying.
Echoing this sentiment, Ali Khan, President of FrieslandCampina for the Middle East, Pakistan, and Africa, encouraged students to focus on collaboration and teamwork.
These, Khan said, are the core values shared by both the college and the company.
He praised Yabatech’s tradition of producing top talent, attributing the long-standing partnership to shared values, especially the principle of “succeeding together.”
He likened the students to “rough diamonds” needing industry experience to be fully shaped, urging them to make the most of the insights gained from the engagement.
The event featured robust discussions on partnership opportunities, including student internships, global branding for the institution, and the overall transformation of student lives.
TheNewsZenith reports that FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s internship programme is renowned for offering young talents hands-on experience and mentorship.
It also offered a pathway to full-time employment, with many interns eventually joining the company after graduation.
This partnership is seen as a model for talent development in Nigeria, supporting both technical skills and soft skills critical for national development.
Industry observers have hailed the collaboration as a welcome development, noting its potential to address the “japa syndrome” by providing local opportunities for growth and reducing talent drain.
The CareerLeap Series is expected to become a recurring platform, fostering more collaborations and ensuring that Nigerian students remain competitive in the global workforce.
As the first cohort of Yabatech students embarks on their internships, hopes are high that this initiative will set a new standard for academia-industry engagement across the country. (TNZ)
Do you have a flair for Citizenship Journalism? Share stories of happenings in your area with TheNewsZenith on WhatsApp: +2348033668669. For more scintillating news, visit our website: www.thenewszenith.com. Also follow us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thenewszenithOnline, Facebook: www.facebook.com/@thenewszenithonline & Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@thenewszenithonline
