Students with special needs and international students should be allowed to thrive in conducive environment in order for them to successfully prosecute their academic programme. The call was made during the maiden edition of a career development programme organized by the Centre for Career Services, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA),FUTA, themed “Unlock Your Potentials and Unleash Your Career Aspirations,” held on Wednesday June 25,2025. The interactive session was specifically tailored for foreign students and students living with special needs.
One of the facilitators, Professor Oyedapo Fagbenro, encouraged the students to engage actively with the Student Affairs Division when faced with any challenge, be it academic, social, spiritual, or financial. He emphasized that these hurdles should not deter them from achieving their aspirations.
For international students, Professor Fagbenro highlighted the importance of cultural fluency, adaptability, and the need to embrace change by acquiring digital skills, enrolling in short-term certification programmes, and volunteering to build experience and enhance their curriculum vitae.
Professor Fagbenro said students can enhance their careers by getting digital skill training, short term certifications, like google, LinkedIn, Coursera, literature sites, remote internship, volunteering and building experiences.
He advised that rejection should not be taken personally, he urged them to build emotional stability and self-motivation, practice mental rest, create support system of peers, mentors and counsellors.
In a second lecture delivered by a former principal of and a Guidance and Counselling officer, at Peacock College of Nursing and St Louis Nursery and Primary School Akure, Ondo State Mrs. Omotunde Fagbenro, titled “From Stereotype to Strength,’ she said the common challenges faced by physically challenged students are stigmatization, stereotype, physical barriers, cultural disconnect, isolation and academic pressure.
Mrs. Fagbenro said the coping skills to guide through these challenges include, emotional coping, physical coping and social copings. The expert also argued that study habits that can help them perform better in their academics include, working smarter not harder, assistive technique, peak energy times, and techniques of time management that breaks work into 25-minute intervals.
Mrs. Fagbenro said with a positive mindset, disabled students can compete and foreign students have strengths others don’t. She advised them to speak up in class, educate one another, inspire someone silently struggling, and show that diversity matters. According to her, “, they are not a mistake or a burden, they are a vital part of FUTA’s story, they should show up ,speak up and keep going.”
Mrs. Omotunde Fagbenro advocated total inclusion, stressing that everyone matters and that disabilities should never define a person’s worth. She urged institutional stakeholders, including management, parents, and government to always factor inclusivity into their policies and plans. She advised students to focus on their strengths, manage their emotions positively, and remain resolute in pursuing their goals.
Speaking relatedly, a programmer, a Disk jockey, an instrumentalist and a singer, Mr. Austin Akpeji who is visually impaired , described physically challenge as ‘’THIS ADVANTAGE’’ instead of the commonly used word of disadvantaged. The first-class graduate of mass communication said he was able to overcome stigmatization through self-dependence. He advised participants to dream beyond their present position and level in life. He said he does almost everything by himself without the aid of anyone. He advised that for results to be achieved in the long run, conscious efforts need to be made in the areas of advocacy and awareness.
He pleaded with the CCS and the counselling unit of the institution to adopt the culture of establishing a resource room where students, usually those with learning disabilities or special education needs-receive individualized instruction, support and therapy.
In an interaction with some of the students, Mubarak Shaibu a 200 level Applied Geology department student, thanked the management, Centre and the speakers for giving them a platform to air their views. He said the students in FUTA will appreciate it more if such workshops were held more frequently and the resolutions put into practice.
In her welcome address, Professor Funmi Dahunsi, Director of the Centre for Career Services, represented by Mrs. Adejoke Koyejo noted that the Centre plays a crucial role in guiding students through self-discovery, mentorship, skills acquisition, and personal development through workshops and training.
Professor Dahunsi stated that the mission of the center goes beyond linking students for job placements. She said the Centre is on ground to guide students through self-discovery, connect one’s passion with purpose and to prepare them for the world of work regardless of background, abilities or challenges.
Professor Dahunsi stated that the Centre provides personalized counselling, skill development workshops, career fairs, internships, and mentorship programs tailored to meet the purpose and goals of everyone.
Representatives from the Students’ Affairs Division and the International Office reiterated their openness to addressing students’ concerns while the Students’ Union President, Desmond Pelemo, appreciated the Centre for Career Services for organizing the programme and affirmed that his administration is committed to inclusive leadership.
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