The University of Yaoundé II-Soa has begun its new academic year with a renewed focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. According to Pr. Richard Laurent Omgba, rector of the university, the institution is shifting its focus towards entrepreneurship, following the implementation of the law on the orientation of higher education in 2023. This new direction aims to position the university as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, with a focus on creating a university-enterprise model.
The university has introduced a new concept, "Technopole des sciences sociales et de l'innovation technologique," which translates to a technopole of social sciences and technological innovation. This concept is built around two main pillars: social sciences and technological innovation. The university aims to leverage its strengths in social sciences, including law, economics, politics, and communication, while also expanding into technological innovation to address the country's development challenges.
To implement this new strategy, the university has established a cabinet of expertise, Magister Advice, which will provide advisory services to the government, private sector, and public institutions. The university has also launched a project to create a "cité universitaire des affaires," a 100-hectare economic zone that will host businesses, startups, and innovation hubs. This project has received approval from the African Development Bank and will be financed with 1.7 billion FCFA.
The university's new focus on entrepreneurship and innovation is aligned with the government's priorities for higher education. The Ministry of Higher Education is promoting a new governance model for universities, which emphasizes quality assurance, professionalization of teaching, and employability of graduates. The university is committed to implementing these reforms, with a focus on adapting its programs to meet the needs of the labor market.
According to Pr. Omgba, the university's infrastructure has been a major challenge in the past, but the new project will turn this weakness into an opportunity. The university has a large campus of 312 hectares, but only 12 hectares are currently in use. The new economic zone will be built on the unused land, creating a vibrant hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
The university's focus on entrepreneurship and innovation is expected to have a positive impact on employability. The university plans to offer practical training and internships to its students in the new economic zone, and some students will be employed directly by the university or businesses operating in the zone. This will help to address the challenge of graduate unemployment in Cameroon.
The university's new direction has been welcomed by stakeholders, who see it as a positive step towards addressing the country's development challenges. With its focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and employability, the University of Yaoundé II-Soa is poised to play a leading role in shaping the future of higher education in Cameroon.
Key points
- The University of Yaoundé II-Soa has launched a new project to create a 100-hectare economic zone, which will host businesses, startups, and innovation hubs.
