Get Guardian on Google… Certificate alone can’t prepare graduates for modern labour market – Rector
Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), Ondo State, has disclosed that academic certificates alone can no longer prepare graduates for a labour market being reshaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation and emerging industries.
The institution stressed this while unveiling its 2026 Career Fair with the theme ‘Beyond the Classroom’, held at the E-Testing Hall of the institution on Monday.
The polytechnic said the platform was designed to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the rapidly changing world by connecting students and academics with top organisations, exploring job and internship opportunities as well as providing direct insights from industry giants and career experts.
According to the institution, the fair is coming at a time when technological advancement, artificial intelligence, digital transformation and emerging industries are redefining the skills and competencies required of graduates.
It said it is committed to producing graduates who are not only academically qualified but also adequately prepared for the realities and demands of the modern labour market.
In his address, the Acting Rector, Dr Lawson Olorunwa, maintained that tertiary institutions can no longer limit their responsibilities to classroom teaching, examinations and the award of certificates.
He explained that the fair was organised to strengthen the Career Service Centre as a platform for career guidance, employability development, entrepreneurship support, professional networking and engagement with the labour market.
Olorunwa said students must be equipped with communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving abilities and the capacity for continuous learning.
He added that the three-day programme includes professional discussions, career presentations, feedback, networking opportunities and alumni engagement.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajigbefun, commended the Acting Rector for stabilising the institution and noted that RUGIPO has produced many great people in the country.
Ajigbefun encouraged students to ask questions and build stronger ties with industry professionals and alumni, while also commending the Career Service Centre for its work.
The Head of the Career Service Centre, Dr Abiodun Ogunduboye, said the centre has become a national reference point for connecting students with employers, opportunities and entrepreneurship support.
He said its partnerships with organisations such as Jobberman, the Canadian Education Council and other bodies have helped expand students’ access to digital job skills, international resources and workplace insights, while practical tools such as sewing machines and solar equipment have been provided to support entrepreneurship.
Ogunduboye commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his leadership and support for the education sector and appealed to industry partners, alumni and stakeholders to sustain collaboration that would create internships, mentorship, training and employment opportunities for students.
The Chairperson of the Career Fair Planning Committee, Mojisola Alonge, said career planning should not be trivialised because it is a lifelong journey that shapes how far individuals go in life. She called for sustainable collaboration among government, educational institutions, the private sector, professional bodies, development partners and alumni.
Alonge said the fair was designed to provide practical experiences, including interview sessions and CV preparation, and to expose students to professional bodies that can offer certification and recognition in their fields.
According to her, the fair is not limited to students alone, as professional organisations were on hand to show graduates and participants what they have to offer.
