By Doh James Sonkey
A member of the Executive Committee of the Orange Group, Elizabeth Tsoungui paid a working visit to the Yaounde II University Orange Digital Centre last April 17, 2025 in order to measure the impact of the free-training programmes on learners. She was accompanied by the Rector of the University of Yaounde II, Soa, Prof Richard Laurent Omgba, the Director of Institutional Affairs and RSE at Orange Cameroun, Alain Blaise Batongue, the Head of the Orange Digital Centre Division, Freddy Oyono, amongst others.
Speaking during the visit, she stressed that Orange Digital Centre Clubs go beyond technological spaces; they are innovative laboratories for employability at the service of students’ future.
Elizabeth Tsoungui said thanks to Orange Cameroun partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education, Orange has already launched digital centres at the Universities of Buea, Yaounde II Soa and Ngaoundere while Dschang will soon have an Orange Digital Centre.
The august guest took time during her visit to exchange with some curious students she met. One of the students told her of his project which upon completion will digitally transform the storage capacity of the Yaounde II Soa documentation.
She was also briefed on Orange Cameroun commitment for the education and employability of the Cameroonian youth as well as capacity development and the visibility of the Orange Digital Centre concept.
In a chat with reporters after a tour of the Orange Digital Centre at the University of Yaounde II, Soa, Elizabeth Tsoungui said ‘‘I am delighted by the invitation of Mr. Rector to discover the installations of the Orange Digital Centre here. And I would say that, it is really a winning partnership, because this university is a centre of excellence. We at Orange, through the Orange Digital Centre programme, are adding the digital touch, because today, the development of digital skills is essential for our young students, whatever the job they may have tomorrow.’’
Elizabeth Tsoungui stressed that ‘‘High value-added jobs related to data, cybersecurity, entrepreneurial jobs. Starting up a business today, it is important to know digital marketing. And so, we are very happy to launch this Orange Digital Centre programme in this university, because these are the keys to the employability of our young people, and which allow them to register in the world of today and tomorrow, which is very open. So, here in Cameroon, elsewhere, digital allows everything, and Orange is here.’’
The Yaounde II, Soa Rector, Prof Richard Laurent Omgba on his part told reporters that, ‘‘we decided to welcome Orange Digital Centre on our campus because digital is at the heart of all sciences, of all professions. So, we have estimated that our students, in addition to classical training, must acquire skills in the field of digital. The world today is so complex that it takes several keys to be able to open the doors. And we estimate that, this reinforcement of skills allows our students to integrate much more effectively into the world of employment and even to be able to create their own businesses.’’
The Rector added that ‘‘it is a very important centre that welcomes at least 1,000 students per year. I would like to say that the need is there, and that we are happy that Orange has thought of offering us such a tool. So, I invite the students, those who have not yet registered, those who are looking for employment, to come and register to benefit from these free trainings, I should say.’’
The Coordination and Planification Manager of the Orange Digital Centre of the University of Yaounde II, Soa, Bema Manga Koutta told reporters that ‘‘it was officially launched since 2022 and has been training learners on digital competences, accompanying concrete projects, has been creating bridges between youths and the local entrepreneurial ecosystem as well as giving the possibility for each and everyone to act.’’
