Updated 18 August 2008

Africa Youth Network organised a highly successful student orientation programme on Saturday 26th July 2008 and Sunday 27th July 2008, in Mombasa, for students preparing to enter university.  The feedback from the previous programmes was incorporated this time, and hence the format and content of the programme changed from previous such events.


The Course Presenters were Dr Mahmood Datoo and Aqil Datoo from the U.K. and Brother Riyaz Virjee from Mombasa.

A total of 71 students attended the two day event; the breakdown is given below:

Group Leaders

A total of 14 current university students, who were present in Mombasa, during the course helped out with the group discussions. Some attended all the sessions, and some part of the sessions. They were all given the basic training the day and night before as to how to conduct these sessions, and each was given manual of topics and pointers to discuss.

Format

Lecture/Discussion:

The primary drive was to make the course as interactive and participative as possible. To this end, the students were divided into groups of no more than eight, each with group leader (a current university student or recently graduated) to steer and focus the discussion.

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.

The genders were strictly divided into their own tables matching their group leaders.

Timetable

A full timetable was in operation starting from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm for the two days of the course. Each session was no more than 45 minutes, followed by a short break. Luncheon and dinner sessions provided further opportunities for the participants to interact and discuss issues.

Venue

The first full day of the course was conducted at Jaffery Academy, and the second full day was conducted in a conference room at the Reef Hotel. The change of venue was to provide a change of scene and create a retreat environment.

Topics

The topics were chosen collectively by the organisers and the presenters, and the following were covered:

• Religious Importance  
• Learning Style 
• Learning Preferences
• Super Student   
• Time Management  
• Listening Skills
• Preparing for a Lecture
• Taking Notes   
• Making Notes
• Using Notes 
• Study Groups  
• SQ3R
• Essay Writing
• Some topics had to be left out due to lack of time.

Student Orientation Programme 2009

An evaluation questionnaire was given to all students and the anonymous replies were analysed for suggestions, improvements etc for the next year’s programme. Based on this feedback and the observations by the organisers, a number of proposals are being considered for the 2009 programme:

• A retreat for the whole duration of the course
• Extend the duration from the current two days
• Cover more related topics, like homesickness, finance, friendships, etc
• Restructure the timetable to make effective use of retreat facilities
• Provide a more comprehensive training to the group leaders
• Only those students going to university should attend the course
• Present the UCAS university application process and personal statements training for AS students only for a day

For further information, email federation@raha.com