Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Studies (RUNCEDS)

BRIEF HISTORY OF CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (RUNCEDS)

The Redeemer’s University Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Studies (RUNCEDS) was established twelve (12) years ago (2013), with the purpose of driving the vision of this University to deliver on the promise of transforming the products of this institution to self-employed graduates and eventually transform to employers of labour. It is therefore not negotiable to ensure that all hands are on deck to make this vision a reality.  Obviously, one of the major sources to deliver on this was anchored on entrepreneurship development and innovation which was placed under the purview of RUNCEDS.

The Redeemer’s University Centre for Entrepreneurial Development Studies (RUNCEDS), no doubt, is one of the strategic development initiatives of Redeemer’s University, and it is under the academic section of the University.

The centre was created with vocational and skill acquisition sections; which placed two compulsory courses under it (GST 201 and GST 202, which has now been renamed as ENT 211 and ENT 212 under the CCMAS) in the first and second semesters at 200 level respectively. However, the first semester course (GST 201, now GST 211), which was at a time under the purview of General Studies Programme Directorate; was later returned to the centre, this session.

The goal of this centre is to drive the vision of the University in the production of graduates/students who are nationally relevant, globally competitive, intellectually equipped and self-reliant. This is achievable through the centre’s provision of theoretical, practical real life work experience and professional ethics, to enable them develop the entrepreneurial talents, capacity in business and enterprise engagement to achieve self-employment. It was designed to complement the town and gown collaboration inventiveness of the University.

Achievements

So many giant strides had been made in the past and it is believed, if diligently followed up, would place the University in the forefront among many entrepreneurial focussed private Universities around us.  Some of the in-roads made by the Centre include, but not limited to collaborative alliances, some of which are now being consolidated in the light of our current position and certain challenges we face from the beginning.

Some of these collaborations and partnerships are highlighted below:

  1. In November, 2014, we were approached by Wholistic International Ministry (Outreach) and Habitation of Hope Ministry, which are non-for-profit organisations, established by Pastor (Mrs) Folu Adeboye, the wife of the Visitor, to collaborate on vocational training for women, boys and ladies, for transformative lives. This request manifested sometimes in January, 2020, (and we have been having useful partnership since then), to jointly issue certificate of proficiency to the graduates of the Outreaches.
  2. In January, 2019, we were identified by Tony Elumelu foundation, which invited our students to participate in an online competitive examination, for which 1,000 winners across Africa would win US$5,000 each for them to be able to establish small businesses. This competition is a yearly event, and we had continued to key into it effectively.
  3. In April 2019, Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in collaboration with University of Abuja invited us to participate in an exhibition of publication on Research & Development, Science, Technology and Innovation. We were unable to participate due to lack of equipments and requisite products to display. We are striving to meet up with the requirements, next time.
  4. In February, 2020, National University Commission wrote to all Nigerian Universities’ Vice Chancellors to request for the status of the entrepreneurship and skill development, as a follow-up to their letter of 19th December, 2019. It is not unlikely that NUC will soon beam its searchlight on our entrepreneurship activities awaiting appropriate accreditation visit. We have already developed a curriculum to deploy BSc Entrepreneurship Studies in preparation for this, in collaboration with our Business Administration & Marketing department.
  5. In December, 2021, the Central Bank of Nigeria organised Developmental Component (Grant) under her Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurial Scheme (TIES). A committee was set up to look into how we can participate, in January 2022. The prize award ranges from N120 million to N250 million for 5th position to 1st position respectively. We should be in the right stand to participate at any available opportunity.
  6. In August, 2022 we got an invitation from TEDx Osogbo for our students and staff members to participate in an event that will enable them share ideas on some disciplines including technology, entertainment, design, science, business development, etc. Efforts were made, but we couldn’t take part, because of the schedules of the students. We look forward to future participation.
  7. In October, 2022, Side Hustle Nigeria Limited, an organisation committed to building African workforce and equipping youth with the in-demand skills needed to compete in the global workforce, to partner with the organisation, which was given a consideration by management. We look forward for future opportunity in respect of this.
  8. In March, 2023, we were approached by Realtypoint Business School Ltd to partner with us on Business school focussed on branding a Masters of Business Administration directed at training our postgraduate students and other interested members of the community on estate management (Real estate entrepreneurship). This is currently undergoing the consideration of management.
  9. Early this year, we received invitation from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to partner with her to train our students in the process of registering their talents and vocations to be independent business owners before graduation. We are already in the talks to sign an MOU.
  10. We are currently deploying 23 vocations in the programme, in spite of the teething challenges faced by the centre.

Prospects

Following achievements are noteworthy:

  1. We hope that the University will focus reasonable attention on the goal and aspirations of the Centre and to consolidate on these achievements. The upgrade of this centre, therefore, to a directorate was in good spirit and in the right direction.
  2. We reckon that this Centre can transform into a big hub for commercial arm of the University in areas of supplying the basic materials and resources required by other arms of the university anchored on most of the vocations deployed already. It is on records that, at a time in the past, we were engaged to produce and supply some of the kitchen products to Redemption camp in Lagos and other RCCG related institutions, as well as other strategic government organisation, e.g. NIMASA in Apapa, Lagos.
  3. The near immediate goal of the Centre is to become self sustaining and reliant with adequate management support. Some of our trainers, due to relationship, often bring their television, generators, laptops and internet gargets to campus to cope with lack of electricity, internet access and other requisite resources.
  4. We are in talk with Management to build a befitting vocational training centres and workshops, to complement only one lecture room available to us for now. There is a recent collaboration and strategic partnership with GTCO Plc to develop a befitting centre building, consummated at one of our past convocation. This we shall continue to pursue with vigour.
  5. We are currently working on a curriculum to deploy the practical skill acquisition section of the programme to cover 100 to 400 levels for all students, very soon.
DIRECTORATE OF INTERNAL AUDIT
CENTRE FOR GENDER, HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES (CGHDS)
Academics
Admissions
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