A Pursuit of Excellence – The Successful Journey of Dr Alexis Dea
In today’s feature, we highlight the remarkable journey of Dr Alexis Dea, a teaching researcher at Jean Lorougnon Guede University in Daloa, Côte d'Ivoire. Since 2020, he successfully completed two Project Management programmes at Galilee Institute.
We are privileged to have had the opportunity to ask Dr Dea to share his distinctive experience, and we are grateful for his willingness to offer insights and advice to professionals who currently lead or aspire to lead high-level projects.
He explains how these two training experiences have enriched his skill set and deepened his understanding of several subjects. Dr Dea candidly recounts his journey through these courses, emphasizing with a great sense of pride their indispensable contribution to his professional development.
A First Online Experience During the Recent COVID Crisis
In an increasingly competitive environment, as a founding member and manager of a secondary education institution, Dr Alexis Dea had the substantial responsibility of overseeing its operations and facilitating expansion for long-term viability.
In 2020, amid the COVID epidemic crisis, he undertook his first Project Management training. Despite prevailing restrictions, the Galilee Institute promptly adapted its training methodology, ensuring uninterrupted service by offering online courses to its students.
This initial training equipped Dr Dea with indispensable tools to successfully establish and manage his projects. Guided by our expert, he discerned accessible opportunities, particularly in higher education. His proficiency in administrative management flourished both within his university and at the Ministry of Higher Education.
Broadened Expertise
Following a fruitful initial experience with Galilee Institute, Dr Dea's thirst for knowledge persisted. In 2022, he engaged in an extensive two-week training programme focusing on Project Management and Monitoring Evaluation, conducted in Israel.
"This additional training enabled me to enhance my previously acquired knowledge with new tools for effectively monitoring and evaluating my projects," he expressed with enthusiasm.
Thanks to this comprehensive training, he now has the skills to proficiently establish and oversee his own projects. Additionally, he is well-prepared to assume the role of an expert evaluator during the ranking evaluations of private higher education institutions in Côte d'Ivoire.
These newly acquired skills give him heightened confidence in his ability to achieve his goals and actively contribute to the development of his professional field.
SWOT Analysis: A Vital Tool in His Decision-Making Process
One of the specific techniques that significantly influenced Dr Alexis Dea is the SWOT analysis, which proved to be a true revelation for him. He emphasises, "The SWOT analysis was particularly helpful and has now involved into a kind of compass that I systematically consult when implementing each project."
This technique necessitates the identification of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats before embarking on any project.
“Through this preliminary process, I can thoroughly assess the feasibility of my projects, which is essential to ensure their success.”
Three Impactful Projects Driving Change
Leveraging his newfound skills, Dr Alexis Dea has already demonstrated his talent by successfully leading collective projects. Three projects which he continues to spearhead, stand out for their notable impact and success.
1. Professional Training for Out-of-School Youth: Offering Them a Future
The aim of the first project was to provide an opportunity for young people who dropped out of formal education prematurely. The professional training centre is situated within Pavillon Tengrela High School, offering these youngsters access to quality training and avenues for fulfilling employment.
"During the first year, we successfully trained 22 young people as nursing assistants. The community warmly embraced this budding initiative, and the outlook for this project is particularly promising and encouraging," he shares.
2. Establishment of a Poultry Farm: A Model of Success
In January 2023, Dr Alexis embarked on his second ambitious project: establishing a flourishing poultry farm in Tengrela, housing nearly a thousand laying hens. Faced with numerous challenges, his determination and expertise were put to the test. Nevertheless, since June, success has been achieved and they have started selling eggs as part of this promising venture.
3. Agricultural Training and Production Initiative: A Rapidly Growing Project
Finally, the third project involves the establishment of a training and agricultural production company in Daloa, situated in the central-western part of the country. Under Dr Alexis’s guidance, this dedicated space has been designed to offer local farmers privileged access to quality training, the latest sustainable agricultural practices, and resources aimed at enhancing their yields.
Since its debut in March, this centre has launched its production activities, and the results are highly encouraging. Its contribution to the agricultural development of the region is tangible and remarkable. Farmers are eager to learn and actively apply the new knowledge they have willingly acquired.
Managing Challenges and Risks in Projects
Through enlightened teachings and practical approaches, Dr Dea has grasped the importance of early risk identification. The GIMI Project Management programme provides a rigorous method for assessing various risk factors and their potential impacts on a project.
According to Dr Alexis, "It is evident that every project involves risks, but we were taught to identify risks and define measures to address them."
Now, he feels better prepared to take the lead by defining strategic measures to mitigate these risks and minimize their impact. He has learned to develop contingency plans tailored to each scenario, enabling prompt action in the event of unexpected problems.
He cites the example of his poultry farm project, which faced a severe setback. "In March, while our chicks had started impressive growth, a heat-related illness decimated about 1000 chicks in just two days." Faced with such a crisis that threatened this young project, he had to demonstrate responsiveness and determination.
"We urgently consulted veterinary experts, and they proposed measures to us. By the third day, all healthy chicks were secured, and the disease was contained."
“With a proactive approach, we've learned from our instructors that risks cease to be formidable obstacles but instead become challenges that an experienced project manager can confidently tackle.”
Teamwork: A Crucial Element for Collective Projects
Beyond project management, Dr Alexis Dea has also developed skills in team management and collaboration through this training.
While acknowledging that not all project stakeholders exhibit the same level of interest and involvement, he underlines the critical importance of each individual in shaping the team dynamics:
"When it comes to team management, we've put into practice the guidance from our GIMI trainers: forming the team by considering the skills each member brings, sharing the vision with all team members to secure their buy-in, and fostering open communication. All these insights have proven invaluable in the establishment and management of our projects."
Managing Timelines, Budgets, and Resources
The project management course also significantly strengthened Dr Alexis Dea's capacity to handle timelines, budgets, and resources for his projects.
He now recognizes the significance of meticulous planning and rigorous monitoring to attain set objectives and mitigate the risk of failure.
"At the end of the training, we understood that every project has a lifespan. It is essential to schedule each stage over time and ensure adherence to deadlines, otherwise the project is destined to fail," he explains.
Effective Communication During Projects
Communication stands as a fundamental pillar of any successful project, and Dr Alexis understands this principle well. Benefitting from the teachings of GIMI, he consistently organizes regular meetings with stakeholders involved in all his projects.
"We communicate our vision, and in return, we document their expectations. Leveraging tools such as WhatsApp groups and other communication channels, we facilitate real-time information sharing," he explains.
"In conclusion, the Project Management and Monitoring and Evaluation course at Galilee Institute stands out for its practical and comprehensive approach. It empowers participants with the skills to anticipate and effectively manage project risks, adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and maintain open communication with stakeholders."
Dr Alexis Dea found his training and interactions with experts and fellow programme participants to be transformative. It enabled him to contribute significant value to his university and organization.
Closing the interview, he shares valuable advice for aspiring project managers:
"Establishing and efficiently managing a project requires solid foundational training. Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) is among the best training institutions for project management and monitoring and evaluation that I can recommend to anyone interested in this field."
We extend our congratulations to him and wish continued success in each of his current and future endeavours.
For more information about our training programmes, you can explore the following useful links:
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