Limkokwing University Lesotho held its sixth graduation ceremony at Lehakoe Recreational and Cultural Centre on 13 October 2016. During the exuberant ceremony, 815 students received their hard-earned degrees and associate degrees in various disciplines.
Out of the graduating students, 550 were selected for an internship programme of which 51 were placed under the Limkokwing Entrepreneurship Acceleration Platform (LEAP) and 499 placed in different industries.
LEAP is an initiative by the University designed specifically to accelerate the growth of entrepreneurs among graduates. Students under LEAP learn skills such as entrepreneurship, business innovation, strategic and innovative thinking, leadership, teamwork and hands-on creative skills.
Among the high-ranking officials at the ceremony were: His Majesty King Letsie III; The Right Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili; Honourable Deputy Minister, Mothejoa Metsing and the Minister of Education and Training, Mahali Phamotse, to mention a few.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Lesotho, Honourable Mothejoa Metsing, conveyed his congratulations to the graduating class of 2016. He applauded Limkokwing University for its adherence to the highest quality standards and a portfolio of programmes that are directly relevant to the economies of developing countries like Lesotho.
“It is because of the University’s industry-centric portfolio of programmes that it is beginning to shape, develop and transform the national business environment in the Kingdom through a number of significant collaborations.”
The Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Dr. Mahali Phamotse, acknowledged that Limkokwing is a strategic partner of the Government of Lesotho and particularly the Ministry of Education. “We have been working closely over the last eight years in creating a new and necessary tertiary education landscape for Lesotho.”
“The campus has grown to a community of around 3,250 students and has, with today’s convocation, just delivered 4,800 graduates to date,” Dr. Phamotse said.
During his address, Limkokwing Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Cedric Bell guaranteed that the graduates are prepared for the future because they have the skills and attributes needed to be the national and global transformational leaders of tomorrow.
“What we have given you is an unrivalled learning experience to give you a rewarding and fulfilling future; also the ability, capacity and desire to contribute to your family, your society, your nation and your world,” he concluded.
A graduate from the Associate Degree in Fashion and Apparel Design, Lerato Makote stated that she has no doubt that graduates will be able to apply themselves fully in the industry.
“Our graduation theme, ‘The Future is Now in Your Hands,’ resonates with our ability to shape our own future. We have been empowered; we have been groomed to become 21st century leaders. As Lesotho celebrates 50 years of independence, it is an opportunity to reflect on who we are and where we are going.”
Makote said she would like to change the landscape of the fashion industry in Lesotho. She would like to open a business that will celebrate the fashion, culture and identity of Basotho in the 21st century.
Limkokwing University’s mission in Lesotho includes diversifying the tertiary education sector by bringing in new and relevant programmes to the economy of a developing nation. It also addresses the skills mismatch between what the industry and employers require by offering industry-centric programmes.
