Updated 29 September 2009
Students pursuing higher education have very little or no knowledge of what is expected of them at universities and colleges and are oblivious of the challenges awaiting them in the outside world. In order to equip them with first hand, tangible information, Africa Youth Network, in the year 2004, gathered students who had returned from University to chart the way forward for the youths of our community in East Africa.
This forum yielded great results and eventually paved the way for the inception of the Student Orientation Programme. This has since become an annual event on the AYN calendar. Furthermore, AYN has continuously strived towards improving the programme using feedback from students who have attended the seminar with the aim of delivering high quality information.
The venue of the 2009 Students Orientation Programme was in Dar-es- Salaam at Markham Suites. This was the first time a Student Orientation Programme has been held at a retreat and the setting proved highly successful as the students were able to interact with their peers from different areas and share vital information on various matters.
Personnel
AYN Organising Committee:
Convenor: Sister Saima Kanji
Sister Fatima Sugra Somji
Brother Mehboob Nasser
Head of Steering Committee: Sister Fatim Somji
Course Presenters:
Sheikh Shahnawaz Mahdavi
Mr. Mohammed Arif Suleiman (A3)
Mr. Ketan Amrish (A3)
Mr. Steve Mulama (A3)
Mr. Shane Abbas Shabir Raza
Mr. Ali Tejani
Mr. Ali Reza Alimohammed
Sister Fateema Suleiman
Sister Sukaina Jacksi
Participants
A total of 43 students participated from the following Jamaats:
Arusha, Dar-es-salaam, Dodoma, Mombasa, Moshi, Mwanza and Nairobi
Lecture/Discussion
The primary objective was to make the sessions as interactive and participative as possible. The students were divided into groups of a maximum of eight participants. This enabled them to debate issues within their group, come up with solutions and provide objective conclusions. Thereafter, they were instructed to present their groups’ analysis to the other students.
Activities
These were included to make the course content more practical and applicable. Furthermore, it challenged the students to work in groups, under time pressure and as a team.
The presenters would introduce a topic, using a combination of PowerPoint slides and a formal verbal lecture. Each participant was given a booklet of notes and questionnaires to work through the course. The groups then discussed the salient points and the group leaders would share their recent experiences on the topic under discussion. The presenters would then walk around each group to ensure the discussion was focussed and pass on their comments. After each topic, the presenters would then summarise the findings and the best practice for the topic in question.
Topics
The topics were chosen collectively by the organisers and the presenters, and the following were covered:
Religious Importance Learning Style Learning Preferences
Working in Team Time Management Listening Skills
Making Notes Study Groups Managing Finances
Culture Shock Plagiarism Fresher’s Week
Feedback from participants
An evaluation questionnaire was given to all students and the anonymous replies were analysed for suggestions, consideration and improvements for subsequent Orientation Programmes. Based on the feedback from the participants and the observations of the presenters and organisers, a number of proposals are being considered for the 2010 programme.
Students Comments
“It was just excellent as my first experience attending this function. Good job, well done. May the Almighty bless you all with the Sadaqa of the 14 Masumeen...”
“An event wonderfully organized, AYN should organize an event whereby the youth are assisted in finding temporary work placements...”
“When it comes to such orientations, it would be better if people would come to individual Jamaats and talk about this as it is needed, I would like to say “hats off” to the organizers for their good hospitality and making the stay a memorable one...”
