The FUTO Alumni Mentoring Initiative is committed to establishing and nurturing meaningful mentoring relationships within the FUTO community. Our primary focus is to connect students and early-career faculty with established FUTO alumni globally. By leveraging the vast experience and knowledge of our alumni, we aim to provide comprehensive guidance and support in all aspects of career preparation, development, and success. Our goal is to empower individuals to excel as professionals or entrepreneurs in their chosen fields.

Mentoring Approach

Our mentoring approach includes both group mentoring and one-on-one mentoring, primarily conducted virtually to ensure accessibility and inclusivity. This approach allows us to connect mentors and mentees across the globe, fostering a diverse and supportive mentoring environment.

We initiate our program with a pilot phase, offering special topic seminars on current technologies and skills. These seminars cover four disciplines: Mechatronics, Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, and Geophysics. This pilot sets the foundation for a broader mentoring platform that matches mentors with mentees based on mutual interests. The platform features a database of accomplished FUTO alumni willing to serve as mentors and will be developed in phases, progressively adding more sophisticated functionality.

All activities are coordinated through a revamped alumni relations office, ensuring efficient management and support for both mentors and mentees.

Alumni Testimonials

"Mentoring at FUTO Alumni has been a fulfilling experience. It's rewarding to guide the next generation and watch them grow into capable professionals. The connections I've made here are invaluable."

• Jane Hamza, FUTO Alumna and Senior Engineer at Tech Innovators Inc.

"Being a mentor for the FUTO Alumni Mentoring Initiative has allowed me to give back to the community that shaped me. The impact we have on these students is truly remarkable."

• John Chukwu, FUTO Alumnus and CEO of Future Solutions Ltd.

Desirable Mentor Profiles

We seek established professionals or entrepreneurs with significant experience in industry, government, academia, or business. Ideal mentors are:

• Willing to engage with students and faculty, both individually and in group settings, on relevant topics.

• Able to dedicate time to develop and share materials in-person or virtually.

• Experienced in helping students navigate their career paths, providing a strong foundation for success post-graduation.

Mentoring Undergraduate Students

Our mentoring program for undergraduate students focuses on several key areas:

• Group Mentoring: We offer special topic seminars on current in-demand skills for various industries.

• Individual Mentoring: Students can list topics they need help with, such as strategic networking, and are matched with suitable mentors.

• Career Preparation: We hold virtual bi-monthly meetings with 300-level students, focusing on development and career preparation. Mentors may assist with finding aligned Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) opportunities.

• Scholarship Preparation: Virtual bi-monthly engagements help 300-level students position themselves for graduate studies at global universities. Mentors may assist with making connections with foreign academic institutions and research groups.

• Resident Mentoring Coordinator: Located on campus to manage mentoring relationships and ensure adherence to best practices.

Mentoring Graduate Students and Early-Career Faculty

Our program for graduate students and early-career faculty includes:

• Grant Proposals: Experienced diaspora alumni mentor on finding and securing funding from global agencies.

• Network Development: We help create formal and informal professional networks to foster growth and recognition in the global research community.

• Resource Identification: We assist in identifying research-enabling resources, sponsorships for conferences, and collaborators.

• Mentor Pairing: Mentees are paired with one or multiple mentors for advice on research, teaching, scholarly competencies, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Mentee Testimonials

"The guidance I received from my mentor was instrumental in securing my first job. The insights into industry practices and career development were invaluable."

• Emily Olawale, FUTO Alumna and Software Developer at Innovation Tech.

"This initiative bridges the gap between academia and industry, providing students with real-world insights and opportunities. I'm proud to be a part of it."

• Michael Ekpeyong, FUTO Alumnus and Director of Research at Global Energy Solutions.

Boosting Industrial Collaboration

We aim to strengthen ties with industry through:

• Defining Challenge Problems: Industry alumni define problems aligned with their companies' needs, and faculty and students are supported to tackle these challenges.

• Embedding: We arrange for faculty and students to periodically embed at companies to gain practical experience and understand current industry practices and challenges.

• Engagement Management: We ensure the relevance and tangible impact of results from solving challenge problems.

• Pathway Creation: Alumni use their influence to forge relationships between faculty and specific companies, promoting collaboration on mutually interesting topics.

Join us in empowering the next generation of FUTO alumni and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. Together, we can achieve great things!