Conference

Iconic musician, Tala Andre Marie enlightens University Community

Dschang,UDs/SIC-14/02/20.Students and staff of the University of Dschang were all filled with euphoria as they thronged the Amphi theater 1000 for a conference with main speaker, the legendary Cameroonian artist Andre Marie Tala. The Conference which took place on Friday 14^th of February 2020 at 12 noon with theme “The African and the development of his continent: The case of Cameroon” was aimed at imbibing the tenets of development in the minds of students of the institution. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Roger Tsafack Nanfosso present, lauded the effort of the African icon, who decided to use his experience gathered at the national and international level to share on a theme that translates the pressing need of Africans. Moderated by Dr. Foulla Damna Appolinaire Chef SIC/UDs, he outlined the laurels of the main speaker, his career, music life and achievements. Though recognized mostly in the domain of music, the main speaker Tala Andre Marie when given the floor explained the importance of working towards nation building. His discourse was based on a variety of issues which concerned, handicap, African development, his personal life and musical career. As concerns handicap, the main speaker gave three main stages which has to do with, when one notices he/she is handicapped, How to treat someone with a handicap and the handicap accepting his or her situation. Being visually impaired from the age of 15, Tala Andre spoke from personal experience calling on fair treatment for the handicaps, self-confidence, and total inclusion of handicaps to every sphere of the society by decision holders.

 As concerns the development of the African society, Tala Andre Marie decried the fact that Africans have allowed others to write their story. He outlined the assets which Africans are bestowed with such as natural benefits in their soil, talents like football etc. He stressed that such values should be used as a stepping stone to development. The music star deplored societal ills like laziness, dishonesty, illicit migration as the youth always feel that the best can only be found abroad. He seized the opportunity to encourage the youths to be hardworking and committed, to choose their careers wisely and to be determine to make it in life despite all odds. The music celebrity gave his personal testimony of how he forged through many hours of hard work; despise etc to make a name today in the society. Putting it in these words, «others consider me as blind, for me I am not” Mr Tala Andre Marie, words during the conference were highly inspirational and encouraging. Questions flooded in at the end of his presentation as both lecturers and students wanted to grasp more of his experience so as to shape their career, and participation in development as a whole. With satisfactory answers gotten, the two hours conference ended and there is no doubt that the impact of that great conference will play a big role in the emergence expected by the University of Dschang community as far as development is concerned./GC