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Final year students of Biaka University Institute of Buea (BUIB) have benefited from the professional expertise of the Board member and South West Regional Delegate of Chamber of Commerce Dr. Mrs. Francisca Hongla Biaka (DBA research fellow at Business School of Lausanne, Switzerland).

Presenting to students on “the Role of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce in the Development of Cameroon’s Economy” the Regional delegate highlighted that the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Craft (CCIMC) is a state owned representative and consultative body that serves as an intermediary between the public and the private sectors, with its mission to promote the economy and provide support to firms.  It should be noted that Cameroon practices the continental Model of Chambers of Commerce wherein membership to this body is mandatory for all enterprises.

Though all enterprises in Cameroon as at now have not registered as members, Dr. Francisca encouraged these students, some who are also business owners to get their businesses registered and enjoy the services and programs offered by the different Centres of CCIMC including the Pilot Incubation Centre which fights against unemployment by training youths to be job creators, the Economic Information and Documentation Centre which provides real time and statistical information to the business community and support in market research.

Though the CCIMC is currently working to support economic growth and development, students after an assessment of the Cameroon business environment noted that much still needs to be done for the realization of economic development of Cameroon.

These students however expressed gratitude to the guest speaker Dr. Mrs. Francisca Hongla Biaka, for her professional drill on CCIMC

In her commitment to train students to become the best of professionals in their various disciplines, Biaka University Institute of Buea grasps every opportunity that places its students at an international standard. It was another enriching encounter during an education fair organized by KOT – UK in collaboration with the British High Commission in Cameroon. The event took place on Friday April 21^st at  Starland Hotel in Douala during which stakeholders of BUIB were enlightened on the different opportunities available to students who wish to continue studies in the United Kingdom.

During this fair, participants met and talked with representatives of over 22 top universities and 60 colleges in the United Kingdom, on possible ways of enhancing and facilitating the student-learning process and transition to Universities in the UK.

At the Education fair, the CEO & Director of the KOT-UK Education Services Mrs. Imah Chris-Adegoke highlighted ways of partnering which includes students toping up from HND to BSc, internship in UK universities, possible scholarship offers, guide on the processes of acquiring admission and visa counseling just to mention these few.

The British Council and partners were equally present to support students to understand how to secure the English Language qualifications they may need to study in the UK.   Representing different UK Universities were Coventry University, Oxford International, KAPLAN International Pathways, and CARDIF Sixth Form College .

Some areas which Biaka University Institute of Buea may leverage in the days ahead include internship placement of students in the UK for qualified students especially in the area of Health Sciences among others.

This encounter was an opportunity for BUIB to begin a long lasting and fruitful partnership with UK Universities. At the close of the event, the Deputy Vice Chancelor in charge of cooperation and Innovation at BUIB Dr. Mrs. Fey Mary, extended a hand of gratitude to the CEO & Director of the KOT-UK Education Services Mrs. Imah Chris-Adegoke.

The journey which started some 25years ago as St Francis School of Nursing and Midwifery in 1998 and later upgraded to Biaka University Institute of Buea (BUIB) in 2016 has been steady and continuous with same enthusiasm and standards in breeding professionals. Today the 14^th of March 2023 marks another vital stride for BUIB as it enters into a specific agreement with the University of Buea for mentorship of BUIB programmes in the School of Agricultural and the School of Engineering and Technology.

During this signing ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Buea professor Horace Manga expressed words of satisfaction and appreciation working with BUIB this far while highlighting that the event is an indication of a continuous collaboration. He reiterated that this bond is meant to guide the mentee institution BUIB in maintaining the quality of curriculum, teaching, and all other elements associated with the transmission of skills to students as prescribed by the Ministry of Higher Education.

Representing the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Mrs. Eza nee Abatte Jeannette congratulated BUIB for her dedication and commitment exhibited over the years while cautioning that the terms of the agreement should be respected to the later for better collaboration and training.

The Vice Chancellor of BUIB Dr. Mrs. Francisca Hongla Biaka in her humble style, saluted the contributions of the mentor University – UB in bringing BUIB this far. She reassured the team of being rigorous in training as it has always been the case in achieving the mission of the University, one which prides itself as having the audacity to be different.

This extension in mentorship comes at a time when BUIB puts all hands on deck to celebrate 25years of excellence in training this year 2023. Biaka university Institute of Buea now runs five schools: the School of Agriculture, the School of Engineering and Technology, the School of Management Sciences, the School of Education and the School of Health Sciences.

Many keep wondering why Biaka University Institute of Buea BUIB is always in the spotlight despite the rapid growth of Private Higher Education Institutions In Cameroon generally and in Buea in particular. Whether good news or bad news, the bottom line is that BUIB has the audacity to be different. This is not only evident in the outstanding academic performance of the institution but it is also true for the fact that education in BUIB is holistic. The streets of Buea attest to this lately as BUIB grabbed the victory as 2023 football boys champions after beating HIBMAT University  by 3 goals to 1 in a concluding match of the 2023 BHISCO games competition. The encounter took place at the Molyko Omnisport stadium on Saturday the 4th of February 2023.

Doubling the win, the BUIB volleyball girls shattered Redemption Higher Institute of Biomedical and Management Science (RHIMBS) in the BHISCO games finals emerging as gold medalists, bringing home the trophy for this year’s competition.

In honor and magnanimity, these champions dressed Dr.  Mrs. Biaka Francisca, Vice Chancellor of the university with different medals won during the competition.

Parading with the cups of victory these students could only thank God for haven made the right choice – the choice to be part of BUIB. Excitement and jubilation has been the characteristics of this period for faculty, staff and students of BUIB.

Worthy of note is the fact that this feeling is not new to Biaka University Institute of Buea but it is one that repeats itself year after year