From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
The 30th edition of the Annual Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), was hosted by the Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt, recently.
The theme of the Conference which attracted more than 300 participants comprising Vice-Chancellors, ICT Directors, Senior University Management Staff from Federal, state and private universities and other relevant stakeholders in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and education sectors, is: “The Role of ICT in University Administration and Curriculum Delivery.”
At the end of the three days conference, the participants observed as that the use of ICT was not only important and necessary as it is very critical for the effective driving of the administrative and academic functions of universities in the 21st Century. The Conference also noted that ICT offered digitized platforms and media through which curriculum could be effectively delivered. Access to referencing materials for Research & Development, electronic books, journals and other publications, virtual laboratories and workshops for simulation processes and procedures could help to improve and promote effective learning in the universities.
Also it was observed that ICT often required huge capital outlay for the deployment of hardware, software, infrastructure and capacity development related to skills and applications. The participants further noted that Nigerian universities were faced with enormous challenges of inadequate funding, infrastructural deficiencies, including power supply and municipal services, violation of corporate governance, low research output, quality of products (graduates), land encroachment occasioned by non-payment of compensation, security, plagiarism, cultism and other social vices. The conference noted that sustainability of e-Campus project was critical and could be achieved through partnership with private and public solutions as well as service providers. After observing the above-mentioned areas, the participants recommended that universities should make conscious efforts to transform to “e-Campuses, ”so that all their functions could be e-driven.
The second recommendation they came up with was that, universities should try to meet some minimum requirements of ICT infrastructure to enable them realize the goal of an e-Campus. They recommended that universities should partner with relevant stakeholders (NITDA, TETFund for funding support) and private IT companies for staff training and building in-house capacity. Appropriate business models should be adopted to make the e-Campus project sustainable.
The conference further recommended that effective operation of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) was critical for universities to fully embrace the e-campus projects. Consequently, TETFund should, as a matter of urgency, release funds for the payment of outstanding subscriptions, so that NgREN services could be restored.
Another recommendation the conference made was that, proprietors (governments/organizations/individuals) should provide adequate funds for running of their institutions in line with best global practices. They should also have the political will to address some of the challenges inhibiting the growth and development of tertiary institutions, such as insecurity, land encroachment among others.
Finally, they recommended that the university-Industry linkage should be strengthened (in the areas of research uptake, student work experience, financial support) in order to improve quality of Nigerian graduates. The association expressed its sincere appreciations to the host institution, Rivers State University of Science & Technology, Port Harcourt, the Executive Governor and the good people of the state as well as the various sponsors for making the conference a memorable one.
The Executive Governor of the State, His Excellency, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, presided over the opening ceremony while the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, and Chairman of the association, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, and the host Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Barineme B. Fakae welcomed participants to Port Harcourt. Goodwill messages were received from ICAN, INTEL, Microsoft, and some other sponsors and stakeholders.
Two keynote addresses were delivered by Mr. Peter Jack, Director-General, NITDA and Prof. S.E Bogoro, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Fund (TETFund) on the, “Role of ICT in University Administration and Curriculum Development.” Other presentations and discussions at the plenary sessions were on: “Elements of e-Campus”; “Challenges facing Nigerian Universities”; “Transforming Education through solutions and technologies.” They were demonstrations by NITDA, TETFund, INTEL, Microsoft, Interswitch, SAMSUNG, Galaxy Backborne, ICAN, Equipment Hall, Etisalat, Cinfores
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