Improve competence to build performance!
Hello everyone! Happy new week! How is the worldwide holiday going? What has this experience been like for you?
Tell me about that in the comment section. Lol! Monday is here again. Yippee! I’m excited to reveal another scholar to you.
The scholar for the week is Eigbuluese Faith, a graduate of Plant Science and Biotechnology.
Meet Eigbuluese Faith, who has encouraged students to improve their competence to boost performance.
In her words,
To be valued in the labour market, our competence needs to be worked on to boost our performance- Esiosa Faith.
Enjoy!
Abigael Ibikunle of Edugist: Please share with Edugist, a little about your background.
Eigbuluese Faith: My name is Eigbuluese Esiosa Faith, from Esan northeast LGA of Edo State, but born and bred in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. I had my nursery and primary education in Nigeria Air Force nursery and primary school.
Then, I proceed to the University demonstration secondary school, aluu, rivers state for my secondary education but didn’t finish there. I completed my secondary education at Sampav model secondary school. There, I took my WAEC examination in 2012.
The result was however seized, so I had to register for the National Examinations Council in 2013 at Redemption comprehensive secondary school, orazi, Rivers State.
I wrote Jamb four times before gaining admission into the University of Port Harcourt in 2015 to study Plant Science and Biotechnology. I’m the last born in a family of seven (my parents inclusive) and the only female child.
AI: Was there any motivating factor(s) that influenced your choice of discipline and institution?
EF: Nothing. For my choice of University, it was more of a family trend. All my siblings schooled in the University of Port Harcourt, so I followed suit.
As for my choice of discipline, I had initially wanted to study Pharmacy. Surprisingly, the University changed my course to Plant Science and Biotechnology. I didn’t fancy the course at first, but I grew to love it. Today, i am very grateful for that.
AI: There are two major skills that every student must possess: COMPETENCE and PERFORMANCE. While competence revolves around skill acquisition, performance is much more concerned about skills application. It is believed that most graduates are competent because their academic performance testifies to this, but they are performance-challenged. This poor performance ipso facto hinders them from getting lucrative jobs in the labour market. What can you say about this assertion?
EF: Our education system is not encouraging. I would agree to it as a reality. This is because most of our university students only go through the theoretical aspects of their course. They are not exposed to the practical aspect.
I blame the government for these lapses, due to inadequate funding. Most of the laboratories are not adequately equipped.
Imagine a practical session with close to 100 students, and there are three microscope and a few apparatus. How much can a student gain in such situation?
Students that possess both traits are quite few, and to be sincere, most of them are polytechnic students. The few university students that possess these traits, definitely had to go the extra mile to gain value (probably going to a private lab, etc.).
I would also want to address the issue of Industrial Training, which is supposed to be an avenue for students to gain experience. Students apply to companies and institutes. Most of them with mindsets of gaining knowledge but get turned down.
In such cases, they’ll have to look for other alternatives to avoid staying idle. I could recall vividly, some of my course mates who submitted their internship application letters to an agricultural institute, but were turned down.
They ended up in a paint production company. Although, they gained knowledge truly, but it wasn’t related to their field. Our universities, the government, and institutes have a lot to do.
To be valued in the labour market, our competence needs to be worked on to boost our performance
AI: What do you think is responsible for competence without performance? Please suggest ways of improving the performance level of university students and graduates.
EF: I blame the lecturers a lot, even though the government has its flaws.
Most of our lecturers studied abroad, they know how these things are done. Yet, they don’t give up to 40% of what they learn to the students.
They always blame the government for not properly financing the Universities. ASUU go on strike, and they keep doing the same thing over and over again without any tangible results.
It’s high time, they devised better ways to tackle this issue. I’ll implore the students to explore more, go extra miles. They shouldn’t always wait for the lecturers.
The society outside the four walls of the University wouldn’t blame the lecturers for the student’s incompetence.
So, students should boost and improve their performance.
AI: Achievement in life transcends one’s personal efforts. There were people who, during your programme, rendered some assistance that made your dreams a reality. Who are specific persons whose contribution you can’t forget in your first-class feat?
EF: My ultimate praise is to God for his love and faithfulness throughout my studies in school. Also, my family, especially my brothers, helped me financially and prayerfully.
My seatmate; Akeem Omolara, we would talk and discuss the course to be written before any exam starts, and it helped me a lot.
A good Friend like Ameh Moses was always there to help out, especially with my work outline, statistical analysis. He also helped me financially.
Lastly, my lecturer, Dr. Edache Ochekwu, his words of wisdom helped me understood who I was and how to put ‘me’ into action.
AI: As a first-class graduate, are you currently gainfully employed?
EF: No I’m not. I’m waiting to go for my NYSC.
AI: Do you think your grades have or is giving you any major advantage over other graduates with lesser grades?
EF: Yes, because so far, so good, I’ve had people trying to reach out to me for scholarship purposes for my masters. And I gain a lot of respect from people. No, because Grace defines what happens to us and not grades.
I’ve seen and met people with good grades still searching for a job. While someone with a second class lower division has an excellent job. So it’s a yes and no answer.
AI: For students who aspire to graduate with outstanding grade like yours, what would you advise them?
EF: Try and figure out what works for you, do it and stick to it. For example, I am a nocturnal reader. I don’t like reading in the library because it makes me sleep.
For some other persons, they might be very comfortable reading in the library. For some, they wouldn’t try reading at night.
So know yourself. Also, set goals as to what you want to achieve at the end of the semester and work towards it. Pray without ceasing too!
AI: What would you advise the government to do to improve the standard of our education system?
EF: The government should improve our education system and finance it better. They should also try to check and balance the way our lecturers handle their lectures and students.
This is because they are the ones producing the incompetent students.
AI: Any other thing you would like to share?
EF: Plan, prepare, and pray. These are my three principles for students
That’s it for this week on the first class diary series. I hope you enjoyed the interview.
Do you know a scholar that should be featured? Are you a scholar and would love to be featured?
Would you love to sponsor any of our scholars you find their stories inspiring?Or want to contact any of them for engagements?
Please reach out to me directly: abigail@edugist.smebusinessgrowth.website or +2347035835612.
I am Abigael Ibikunle and celebrating excellence is a top priority for me. iTeach, iSpeak, iTrain, iFacilitate, iWrite, iInterview and iLoveYou all. Smile! See you next week!
