IDM hosts First Year Students Orientation

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - 08:00

Institute of Development Management (IDM) hosted scores of First Year Students at its campuses in Gaborone and Francistown on Tuesday 23rd August 2022 and Thursday 25th August 2022 respectively. The events helped Management to welcome new students into their first year at college.
IDM Students Orientation program aims to help First Year students to adjust to the life and demands of the tertiary education environment, which is exciting and overwhelming at the same time. It sets the tone for a new journey the students embark on as they flip a new chapter of independence away from their families.
The orientation further offers support to students in the transition to the academic and social aspects of the institution. Deliberations were focused more on the rich academic content prepared for the new ‘voyagers’ and how the expedition will be defined by hard work in their studies, determination to achieve, the diverse world they are about to explore, excitement to meet and learn from each other, as well as the anxiety they will find themselves in sometime.
The two events saw several IDM stakeholders showcasing their products and services, and how the students can benefit from them.
In Gaborone, some of the partners who pitched stalls included Tebelopele Counselling & Testing Centre, Botswana Society for the Deaf, Humana People for People, Botswana Telecommunications Corporation, District Health Management Team, BOTESSA, Tennis Association, Rugby Association, Choppies and Home Corp. In Francistown they included Valor Mental Health, Botswana Family Welfare Association, Dream Factory, Game Store, Absa and FNB.
Giving an overview of student life and academics at Gaborone Main Campus, Assistant Director Academic Services, Mathias Chida said: 'When you are coming to Gaborone know that you are coming to a melting pot. Once you get your allowances, we see our students transformed. The true evil things we see here are alcohol and drug abuse. If you misuse your opportunity, you will walk away empty.”
He reminded them to make their families proud. “Many students have left their studies half way through because of alcohol and drug abuse. You need to attend your classes regularly, you also need to manage your time,” he emphasized.
Speaking during the Francistown Orientation session, Campus Manager, Elijah Moakofhi said IDM cares a lot about its students by ensuring that they are not only prepared for academics, but also appreciate a feel of what the campus life feels like. “We do not only grow great minds in the classroom, we want you to settle well within the wider IDM community.”
For his part, IDM Country Director and host of the occasion, Dr Theophilus Mooko w the right choice of friends.
“Let me also encourage you to value yourself, no one is going to value you more than you value yourself. Establish your purpose, IDM is not your destination, IDM is just a passing phase in your life. The Barometer that you are going to need defines that purpose, be resilient,” he said.