By Fadlillah Abdallah
The Wesley University in Ondo State has further consolidated its lead as an Information Communication Technology (ICT) driven citadel of learning in Nigeria with the launch of a world-class, state-of-the-arts ICT certification centre.
The project is aimed at revolutionizing and transforming the face of higher education in Nigeria by integrating ICT certification based and academic training.
The training will offer Wesley University students and staff professionally based ICT skill development, leading to the award of International Certifications.
The initiative will also arm Wesley University students with world-class skills that will make them self-sufficient upon graduation and also make it easier for them to gain employment in the ever-growing ICT global employment market.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the online study and New Horizon Centre, the Vice Chancellor of Wesley University, Prof. Samuel Sunday Obeka, commended the school and New Horizon partnership, saying it was the best way to go in terms of the future of ICT development in Nigerian Universities.
He promised that the University would continue to blaze the trail in the provision of ICT infrastructure for its staff and students.
The Vice Chancellor further said that the partnership with the ICT firm was a clear indication that their university has now embraced the ‘policy of synergy’ with the industry to ensure the production of high quality graduates.
He added that Wesley University was on the right track in terms of ICT facilities and its overall unique curriculum.
He therefore urged all the students of the University to embrace ICT education, especially ICT certification, regardless of their discipline in the school.
“Discipline is not the issue, everybody needs sound ICT training to prosper in the new knowledge economy,” he further explained.
The Methodist Church Bishop noted that the University has various online programmes on certificate, diploma and degrees courses which would make education available for any Nigerian to be educated.
He explained that the University is a global institution as it has various international affiliations and partnerships with some universities in United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada and other developed countries for the benefits of the students and to the development of Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of the faith-based university advised the students to shun all moral vices and be committed towards academic excellence.
He appealed to the public to partner with the school because they have what it takes to transform the society, through their industrious and entrepreneurship based curriculum for optimum productivity.
The Manager of the New Horizon Centre, Dr. Bayo Johnson, commended Wesley University for the giant strides it has made within the short period of its existence, adding the school is the hope Nigeria in making the top 10 in global ranking universities in the near future.
He specially thanked the Vice Chancellor for his passion and great contributions in rewriting the story of university education in the country.
He enjoined other universities in the country to emulate Wesley University by embracing ICT and change that would take Nigeria to the promise land of being among the world best.
In his remarks, the Director of Academic Planning of the University, Dr. Oye Oyekanmi said “As a global university, we are making efforts to maintain the standard by partnering with reputable organisations and agencies. When we received the proposal from New Horizon and the management looked at it critically. We discovered that the proposal is in line with best practices in the world, it’s also in line with what is required from the National University Commission. Currently the NUC is working hard on what we call Core Content Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) and part of the requirement is that every Nigeria university must be 21st century knowledge based.
“And in the area of ICT, we see New Horizon partnership as a way of adding value to our students, such that they wouldn’t just graduate with their regular certifcate but additionally certificate that will empower them to become better citizens and embrace work force in the global world,” he said.
