FCET Umunze Makes ICT Skills Compulsory for Students

Uchechukwu Nnaike

The Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical) Umunze, Dr Tessy Okoli, has announced a compulsory ICT training programme for all students to gain a competitive edge upon graduation.

She said the students needed to be equipped and become ICT compliant to become relevant in a world driven by ICT innovations.

The provost stated this at the recent 32nd/10th joint matriculation ceremony for students of Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), degree and Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) programmes, held at the main campus in Anambra.

The matriculation was also attended by the institution’s governing council members, led by its chairman, Sekav Iyortyom, among others.

Okoli explained the college would continue to emphasise entrepreneurship, ICT, technical and vocational skills that will equip students with employable skills upon graduation.

“Our college has made the acquisition of ICT skills compulsory for all students. With two gigantic ICT buildings constructed by TETFund, hundreds of computers have been provided for effective teaching and learning,” she disclosed. “The Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), at its recent induction of over 900 graduates in our college, rated this institution high in ICT compliance.”

According to her, the college introduced an ICT academy to train students on various computer applications and programmes, just as she announced an ongoing effort to introduce digital classrooms in the institution for improved teaching and learning.

The provost advised the students to leverage the high academic rating of the college and strive towards excellence. She urged them to desist from cultism, examination malpractice and other indecent acts.

“We do not condone harassment or exploitation of students. We will continue to protect our reputation as an institution of choice, a fertile ground for academic honesty and a school for future champions,” she said.

The provost added that the college made 75 per cent class attendance compulsory and encouraged new and old students to form study groups.

She also encouraged the new students to live in college hostels rather than private lodges, saying that hostels guarantee closer supervision and security for them, who might be leaving their homes for the first time.

From the affiliate institution, the Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Charles Esimone, congratulated the new students, saying that the ceremony marked their formal admittance into the academic programme of the university, domiciled in FCE(T) Umunze.

He stated that those admitted under the affiliation status enjoy the privilege of studying for a university degree in programmes domiciled at the FCE (Technical) Umunze, but whose curricula and other requirements meet the university’s academic standards.

Esimone, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Frederick Odibo, assured the students that most of the programmes of the university, including those into which they have been admitted, were accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).