What's Happening?
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Sierra Leone has successfully institutionalized a career fair aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment for its students. This initiative was inspired by a workshop organized by the Education
Collaborative, which provided practical tools for building career-readiness strategies. The career fair, first held in October 2024, attracted nearly 700 students and over 20 companies from various sectors, including banking, telecommunications, and technology. The event featured workshops on CV writing, interview preparation, and cover letter development, facilitated by industry experts. The fair has since become a permanent fixture on the university's calendar, with the second edition in October 2025 drawing 22 companies and over 500 students. The initiative has led to systemic changes within the university, integrating previously siloed activities like internships and employer engagement into a coordinated career services structure.
Why It's Important?
The career fair at Limkokwing University represents a significant step towards improving student employability in Sierra Leone, where structured career services are rare. By directly connecting students with potential employers, the university enhances the value of education and provides students with practical insights into the job market. This initiative not only benefits students by increasing their employment prospects but also helps companies identify and recruit fresh talent. The success of the career fair could serve as a model for other universities in the region, promoting a more holistic approach to education that considers the entire student journey from learning to employment outcomes. Such initiatives are crucial in regions where unemployment rates are high, and graduates often struggle to find jobs.
What's Next?
Encouraged by the success of the career fair, Limkokwing University plans to continue expanding and improving the initiative. The university is exploring partnerships that could allow the model to be adopted by other institutions across Sierra Leone. Bashir Muhammad Idris, who spearheaded the initiative, is keen to share the university's success with other educational institutions. The Education Collaborative's model of sharing and scaling successful approaches could facilitate this expansion. Additionally, the university is strengthening its monitoring and evaluation systems to track employment and internship outcomes, ensuring that the career fair continues to meet the needs of students and employers.
