Institute of Humanities (IOH) has launched its Human Library Project under the title “The IOH Student and Alumni Series: Stories that Inspire.” In line with the Institute’s mission to help students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become culturally grounded critical thinkers and effective communicators, the project offers a distinctive approach to learning. Unlike conventional libraries where readers engage only with written texts, the Human Library enables audiences to hear stories live and firsthand, then enter into direct dialogue with the storytellers.
The inaugural session featured two inspiring young women: Elizabeth, a second-year Mastercard Foundation Scholar in the Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, and Blessing Bolaji, a recent First-Class graduate of the Department of Mass Communication at the School of Media and Communication (SMC). Their accounts focused on resilience, academic excellence, hope, the wise use of opportunity, and gratitude, rather than any romanticisation of hardship.
Blessing credited her journey from a modest background to outstanding academic achievement to God’s grace, combined with a cultivated passion for excellence and human virtues. Elizabeth, the only Mastercard Foundation scholarship recipient from Cross River State, shared how she nearly abandoned her dream of university education after working with Caritas in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Upon arriving at PAU, her first response was deep gratitude to God, the Mastercard Foundation, and the supportive university community that restored her capacity to dream and believe in herself. She left the audience with a memorable charge: “Do not end your story yet because it may just be getting started.”
Dr. Ruth Oji of Institute of Humanities moderated the session. Through thoughtful questions, she drew out moving anecdotes of financial struggle, the audacity of hope, resilience, and opportunity well utilised.
The maiden edition has set a clear tone for future instalments of “Stories that Inspire.” At Pan-Atlantic University, learning extends beyond the classroom. Through initiatives such as the Human Library Project, Institute of Humanities continues to champion experiential learning, creating opportunities for students to engage with real-life experiences that broaden perspectives, inspire ambition, and deepen understanding of the human experience.