Djibouti, March 21st, 2017 - Thirty students from the department of Business and Administration and department of Law at the University of Djibouti gathered today at the World Bank Office in Djibouti. The Open House was the first of its kind in the country office since its opening in 2012 and aimed at introducing the world of international development to students. The World Bank Group, its activities and employment opportunity, were the primary focus of the event. The gathering also provided an opportunity for the soon to-be university graduate to discuss issues that mattered to them and to communicate their aspirations and concerns. World Bank Resident Representative, Atou Seck, Kadar Mouhoumed Omar, Operation Analyst, and Senior HR Business Partner, Ms. Sahar Ramy, shared their views with the assembled students.
“Youth are the future of Djibouti,” said Mr. Seck, “and while the state is now the main employer, we should help young people look beyond the public sector and seize existing opportunities with international development institutions. We will multiply this type of initiative to engage students on development and subjects that interest them, whether that be in the form of debate or Videoconferencing with Bank staffs” he concluded.
In addition to discussions on the World Bank Group (WBG), the open house included a presentation of the institution's tools, portfolio, and its contribution to the development of Djibouti.
From Cairo and via videoconference, Ms. Ramy, shared the WBG recruitment programs for young people namely the Young Professionals Program (YPP), the WBG Analyst Program, and the internship Program. The presentations led to vivid discussions in which the participants raised a variety of questions regarding employment, internship, soft skills, working values and spirit of success.
The WBG offers different opportunities for attracting talents and these programs constitute a starting point for an exciting career in the World Bank. Since its inception in 1963, the YPP, for example, has recruited over 1,700 people from nearly 120 countries, who now range from new recruits to senior management at the World Bank Group.
“The World Bank Group is a unique organization to work for and it is the dream of every student to join such international organization after graduation” said the Senior HR Business Partner, “helping the youth understand what are the entry criteria, the skills needed and existing programs are essential to build the institution’s talents and leverage our excellence”.
These regular meetings with students are important milestones in the process of expanding and strengthening youth initiatives of the World Bank office in Djibouti.
