Samsung Real Dreams passes out 50 in 3rd batch

Another set of 50 students drawn from Nigerian youths for empowerment in the ‘Samsung Real Dreams’ programme have passed out at the conclusion of the third batch last weekend in Lagos.

The programme structured to empower the youths on web design, video editing and print graphics in the “Samsung Real Dreams” last Friday passed out from the School of Media and Communication, Pan African University in Lagos, with Managing Director/CEO, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mr. Jinuk Nicolas Shin, challenging the graduands.

Samsung Real Dreams, led by Samsung Electronics and International Youth Foundation in partnership with School of Media and Communication, Pan African University is designed to increase economic activity in African region by promoting technical skills acquisition for young disadvantaged youths between 21 and 35 years of age for successful, long-term careers and entrepreneurship.

In his speech, Mr. Jinuk Nicolas Shin said the tech design is a fast growing business and Samsung has trained participants in the basic skills needed to succeed in this very important industry.

“I hope what you got from here will fire your dreams. I dream that all of you will have good jobs. I dream that you will be very professional in your chosen field. Those who are talented and hard working will be one of the best guys in the world. And I dream that you will remember Samsung when you become superstars,” he charged.

He noted that with growing improvements, which is very important to the programme, expressing optimism that the graduands would have good jobs and secondly the opportunity to further develop their careers and professionalism.

“I am very happy that Samsung has been a part of your career development,” he declared.

Mr. Shin also said there are many Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) initiatives Samsung could embark on but the electronic giant decided to focus more on areas where the firm is strongest which are innovation and enterprise.

He informed that Samsung philosophy is that instead of giving fish to the youth, teach them how to fish, hence the Samsung Real Dreams started last year in partnership with organizations that could help achieve the desired goal, and there have been quite a number of successful stories.

Welcoming participants to the occasion earlier, Dean, School of Business and Communication, Pan African University, Prof. Emevwo A. Biakolo expressed appreciation for Samsung Real Dreams programme.

He further said the school is satisfied that Samsung valued the programme and the school of media and communication offers holistic education with change in attitude forming an integral part of the learning system.

Prof. Biakolo, stressed the school’s curriculum inculcated the spirit of freedom and responsibility and enjoined graduands to espouse professionalism which expresses itself in little details.

He advised them to take care of little things, care of human relationship, tools of work, dressing and self presentation as well as courage, because it is easy to forget those little things.

He pointed out that it has been a fruitful exercise and congratulated the students for having successfully completed the course.

Disclosing that his institution has involved into conducting an impact analysis on the programme

“We have been doing some analysis because our partner needs it and we also need it to establish the impact of this initiative on the lives of these young people. Analysis of the first set of Samsung Real Dreams revealed that 83 per cent of them have either set up their own businesses or are gainfully employed,” he said.

According to him, this shows clearly that the initiative is making a difference in the lives of the young people compared to where they were.

“My impression is that I see improvement all the time in the area of output in the work of these people. The output whenever they do exhibition is improving all the time,” he said.

Equally commenting, Head, Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics West Africa (SEWA), Mrs. Funke Michaels-Ntekim who joined Prof. Biakolo in presentation of prizes to three Most Improved and Most Hard Working Students respectively, noted that Samsung Real Dreams graduates have open access to faculty members and SEWA.

She said they are members of an exceptional group who will always enjoy open access to Samsung.

“We are open to offer them professional advice and mentorship,” she said.
Samsung Real Dreams is about discovering raw talents and grooming same so that beneficiaries can go out with a well developed talent, packaged to conquer. People who have benefited from the program have their own businesses, and are employers of labour.

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