Student Training For Entrepreneurial Promotion [STEP]

Abstract

The global population of the youth is estimated at 10 and Ligands at 70% Globally, the youth face common challenges such as unemployment, HIV/AIDS, poverty and exclusion from active participation in social and cultural affairs of their in Uganda. The education system at all levels churns out thousands of young learners many without requisites knowledge and skills to operate effectively in the job market The young people, without jobs and income are frustrate sometimes engage in anti-social behavior and even in crime As they lack skills many are unable to maximally benefit from the initiatives and schemes government has put in place to benefit the youth is against this background that is November, 2010, the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO held dialogue with representatives of some youth groups to discuss their participation in youth led development initiatives. During the dialogue was observed that the youth in Uganda in face multiple challenges. These ranges from unemployment, HV/ ADS to abject poverty and illiteracy Unemployment was ranked high on the list it was also noted that the youth had the capacity to change their situation and attitudes, and could des the means to save their own problems. They also had the social networks in which to share creative ideas and alt opportunities at their disposal. They however needed guidance and skills to harness opportunities that could move them forward One such opportunity became available at the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO The Student Training for Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), project to provide business skits to the youth The STEP had been introduced in Uganda in 2009 at Makerere University Business School (MUBS) as collaborative initiative between Leuphann University of Luneburg (Germany) and MUBS During the implementation of STEP at MUBS Lauphane University of Lunenburg and the UNATCOM were engaged in consultation for a possibilty to collatiorate in supporting and expanding the STEP project in Uganda. As the project was financed by German National Commission for LINESON the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO was a natural choice for a partner. The STEP programme targets university students in the final year of study, it aims at equipping them with both theoretical and practical skills in entrepreneurship. The STEP concept in also meant to contribute to advancing the objectives of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development [UNDESO) particularly that of resting opportunities for everyone to develop the knowledge, skills and values to act sustainably in the twenty first Century After noting the success of the project at MUBS it was clear that STEP could be one way to address needs of the youth in Uganda by helping them develop entrepreneurs skis and create employment it was necessary to extend the project to other beneficiaries Uganda Martyrs University (UMU) Non was then identified by Lephans University as the nest possible partner to implement the project. A series on consultative meetings were held with the administration of UMU and agreement reached for UMU to participate in the project Lpn University in consultation with the German National Commission for UNESCO, the financier of the project requested the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO to oversee the implementation of the STEP in Uganda over the next three years. The Uganda National Commission for UNESCO assumed responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the STEP activities at Uganda Martyrs University, hon during 2012 These activities have been successfully concluded and plans are now under way to rot STEP to other institutions of earning and training, beginning with News Vocational Institute The extension of STEP project to other stations of learning is very timely as it comes at a time when Uganda is promoting 'The Skilling Uganda' initiative spearheaded by the Mistry of Education and Sports STEP wit therefore make an invaluable contribution to the skilling Uganda initiative.