By Walter Wilson Nana
Some 222 graduates of the National Advanced School of Public Works, NASPW, Annex, Buea, have been challenged to be job creators.
The Director of the school, Emmanuel Kouontchou made the call during the graduation ceremony of the 33rd batch of students, recently. “Our students have been adequately prepared for the job market. They have acquired the knowledge to the job they may be called to do and to know that they can also create jobs for others,” he said.
According to Kouontchou, the Buea Public Works School remains a credible investment for the people of Cameroon and other interested parties, while urging employers to seek the services of their graduates. “By virtue of our many years of experience in training middle level man-power for national development, we re-assure our stakeholders that our institution is a credible investment,” he noted.
Some 2012 Graduates of National Advanced School of Public Works, NASPW, Buea, Cameroon
Kouontchou attributed the 2011 success rate of 99.10 percent as against 89.7 percent for 2010 to the consistency of their training methodology, the commitment shown by the government of Cameroon, the dedication exhibited by the teaching and administrative staff as well as the support from the students and the stakeholders.
However, Kouontchou expressed regrets that the Departments of Town Planning and Civil Engineering were lagging in their academic performance because of the absence of permanent lecturers. “We’re making a plea for at least ten permanent lecturers to be recruited in these departments. This will ensure consistency and continuity in the training of our students and the programmes we offer. The unstable part-time staffers we have cannot offer the best we’re looking out for,” he mentioned.
On the infrastructural development of the school, the Director requested that the existing workshop and laboratory complex be completed and equipped, the construction of a hall and an amphitheatre, a library, dormitory for students, a residential quarter for the Director, Deputy Director, Chief of Service for Administration & Finance and an IT centre. “It is also relevant for the institution to develop a career profile, which will be a motivating factor for our staff,” he added.
Responding to some of the worries raised by the Director of the Buea Public Works School, the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Public Works, Hans Nyetam Nyetam revealed that the government has made available the sum of FCFA 165 M for renovation works in the school and for the purchase of some didactic materials.
Nyetam Nyetam reiterated government’s wish to foster quality training at the NASPW Buea, while congratulating the graduates and the staff of the school for the successes recorded.
Lesley Kembong Kokeng, a graduate of the Higher Technical Cycle, with Civil Engineering as specialisation expressed happiness with his two-year-sojourn in the school, saying the training was of good quality. “I am going back to my work place – CHARIOT CONSTRUCTION, Buea, a different person and to make a difference in what we have been doing,” he noted.
Pascal Egbe, a graduate from the Civil Engineering Department and Chief of Service for Technical Operations at the Eyumojock Council in Manyu Division found his stay very rewarding. “I will have to improve on the technical services of my department as I go back to work. It is not the best. After haven studied at the Buea Public Works School, I now know what to do,” he said.
However, as the NASPW Buea carries on with its mission of providing specialised and professional education to Cameroonians, observers are worried about the dwindling enrolment of English speaking Cameroonians into the school.
