CFO Leadership Academy

DESIRED Project Sensitizes CFO Leadership Academy on Mentorship and Work-Integrated Learning

On 19th March 2026, the DESIRED Project conducted a sensitization workshop for the 8th Cohort of the Chief Finance Officer Leadership Academy (CFO LA) at Onomo Hotel, Kampala, aimed at strengthening industry participation in advancing accounting education through mentorship as part of the intervention activities under the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).

The awareness session introduced the senior finance professionals to the DESIRED Project and highlighted the strategic role they can play in enhancing the employability of accounting graduates in Uganda and Nigeria. The session emphasized the project’s mission of bridging the gap between academic training and industry expectations by integrating employability skills into accounting education through practical and experiential learning approaches.

Delivered during the cohort’s final session of the 12-module CFO Leadership Academy programme, the workshop came at a timely moment when participants had already undergone training in coaching and workplace leadership methodologies. This strengthened the relevance of the engagement, positioning participants to contribute meaningfully as mentors within the DESIRED Work-Integrated Learning framework.

Participants were encouraged to take on active roles as mentors, coaches, guest speakers, and industry role models, supporting students through mentorship, workplace exposure, and professional guidance. Discussions also explored how CFOs and their organizations can facilitate student placements, internships, and exposure visits, thereby deepening collaboration between academia and industry.

The workshop further provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on the evolving demands of the accounting profession, the skills gaps among graduates entering the workforce, and the importance of structured mentorship in preparing students for professional success.

The engagement marked a significant step in the DESIRED Project’s industry engagement agenda and reinforces the project’s commitment to building strong partnerships with industry leaders to ensure accounting graduates are equipped with the practical competencies and workplace readiness required in today’s dynamic business environment.