The Career and Counselling Unit of the University of Media, Arts and Communication – Institute of Journalism (UniMAC-IJ), in collaboration with INME Global, organized a Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, and Networking Conference on 29th May, 2025.
The event, which took place at UniMAC’s auditorium at the South Legon Campus, was themed “Beyond the Books: Practical Skills and Entrepreneurial Mindset every Student Needs.” The conference aimed to inculcate entrepreneurial values in students, encouraging them to develop practical skills while in school to build sustainable careers after school.
The conference was moderated by AJ Sarpong, a seasoned Broadcast Journalist at TV3 Network, who added panache to the discourse. The conference featured seasoned speakers including Francis K. Dogbatse, Founder of INME Global; Mr. Kwabena Obeng Darko, an Entrepreneur, Engineer, and Author; Mr. Frank Edem Adofoli, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of The Marriage Consult Ltd; and Mr. Nhyiraba Yaw Sompa Okyere, the Secretary of the P.K. Amoabeng Foundation, who represented Capt. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, founder of the P.K. Amoabeng Leadership Foundation.
Delivering opening remarks to officially open the conference, Prof. Etse Sikanku, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Journalism, who represented the Pro Vice-Chancellor of UniMAC, Prof. Winston Abroampa, emphasized the benefits of keeping a solid network throughout one’s career and profession by stating that, “your network is your net worth”. He indicated that the management of UniMAC are intentional in providing practical experience for students to marry theory with practice, to be well rounded professionals after graduation. He said this in the statement that, “the University is committed to creating the needed atmosphere for real world experiences, networking and industry exposure in order to make our students competitive”; and this conference seeks to achieve that. He further encouraged students to take advantage of the wealth of experience that the Speakers have and to tap from their rich hands and minds.
The Conference was an initiative of the UniMAC -IJ’s Guidance and Counselling Unit. The Counsellor of the Unit, Mr. Godfred Arko Osei, highlighted the relevance of the conference. He noted that it offered students insights into real world challenges and served as a wake-up call to students, encouraging them to look beyond academic achievements and begin building a successful future using their skills.
Taking turns to address the audience, Mr. Francis Dogbatse stressed the importance of acquiring practical skills during university life. He encouraged students to start developing skills while in school, as relying solely on academic qualifications in today’s competitive job market may not be enough. “Entrepreneurs succeed because they develop their skills and practice patience. Use your time in school to build a skill that can transform into a business,” he advised.
Mr. Kwabena Obeng Darko emphasized that entrepreneurship offers a path to financial independence. He described entrepreneurship as a mindset focused on personal growth, long term vision, and financial literacy. “Entrepreneurship is not just a career choice; it’s a life approach. Learn to make, manage, and grow your money,” he stated.
Mr. Nhyiraba Okyere also challenged students to think innovatively and make effective use of their time. He pointed out that entrepreneurship requires mental readiness and creativity, stating, “Entrepreneurs create from nothing. Let’s train our minds to think differently to build a successful business.”
Mr. Frank Adofoli enlightened the students on the impact of romantic relationships on academic performance. He reminded students that, while relationships may naturally form during their university journey, academic work should remain a top priority. “Enter relationships with clarity and purpose, know what you want, and don’t lose focus on your studies,” he advised.
Students and Faculty, including Senior Members of UniMAC had the opportunity to interact with the Speakers and to share insights, questions and answers to enrich discussions.
The conference ended with the closing remarks given by Madam Edna Akonobea Gyan, the Programs Coordinator of the INME Global, who were co-organizers of the conference. She expressed gratitude to all participants and encouraged students to apply the lessons learned.
UniMAC-IJ is a Constituent Institute of the University of Media, Arts and Communication specialized in nurturing and training professionals in the Journalism, Media, Public Relations and Marketing fields.