Published: August 19, 2024
Fendell – The Director General of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), Madam Emma Metieh Glassco, has called for stronger public-private partnerships to create job opportunities for prospective graduates of the University of Liberia’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences Department. Speaking during a recent lecture, Madam Glassco emphasized the crucial role collaboration between the government and the private sector can play in ensuring that students have meaningful employment opportunities upon completing their studies.
“Strengthening public-private partnerships is crucial for providing job opportunities in the Liberian fisheries sector,” said Madam Glassco. She noted that while NaFAA is committed to supporting the sector, it cannot singlehandedly address the employment needs of the growing number of students nearing graduation. “We must work together with the private sector to ensure that your hard-earned degrees translate into meaningful employment,” she emphasized, recognizing the importance of a sustainable job market for the students.
Madam Glassco assured the students that NaFAA is actively pursuing strategies to engage private companies and non-governmental organizations in providing internships and practical training while they are still in school. This approach, she explained, would equip students with the necessary hands-on experience to thrive in the job market after graduation. “We will work tirelessly to improve the situation,” she promised. “You are the future of the fisheries sector, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that you have the opportunities you deserve.”
She encouraged students to begin exploring specializations within fisheries sciences, stressing that the sector offers diverse opportunities. “The sector has multiple layers of opportunities that you should begin to explore now,” she advised, urging them to combine their academic learning with practical experience to enhance their competitiveness in the job market.
Madam Glassco also announced several initiatives aimed at supporting the educational experience of the students. She disclosed that NaFAA would be purchasing a bus for student transportation and providing a vehicle for the Dean of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences Department. These contributions, she explained, are part of NaFAA’s broader effort to ensure that students have the resources they need to succeed in their studies and future careers.
“We will work closely with local and international partners to turn these opportunities into reality for Liberia,” she said, expressing optimism that with the right support, the students could become key players in transforming the fisheries sector. She acknowledged the challenges students face by choosing to study a field that is still evolving in Liberia but reassured them that NaFAA is committed to creating pathways for their success.
Madam Glassco’s visit to the University of Liberia concluded with a tour of the ongoing fisheries sciences facilities at Fendell. There, she reiterated NaFAA’s dedication to enhancing job creation efforts, emphasizing the importance of a united approach to addressing the sector’s challenges. “The future of Liberia’s fisheries sector is in your hands, and we are here to support you every step of the way,” she concluded, leaving the students inspired and hopeful about their career prospects in the industry.
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