Archives for the Month: March 2018
The Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Benson Idahosa University, Dr. Osondu Akoma has said that for Universities in Nigeria to improve the quality of learning and churn out good graduates, that lecturers must develop their computer literacy skills and embrace the various digital means of impacting knowledge.
According to him, the infusion of technology into teaching and learning at the university level is an indispensable component for improvement in quality of graduates. He said that education has not remained the same in the last one decade because of technological advancements and because of this, lecturers cannot continue to teach students today the way they were taught and expect competitive output that would cope with today’s trend.
He said: “As teachers, we must upgrade ourselves first as to be able to produce world class graduates. It is not about ASUU asking for allowances and higher pay but actually asking for interactive boards, asking for tools that will make them to be more efficient in delivering their lectures and also having the relevant staff with the capacity to use these facilities. So it is all about those who are involved in this business upgrading themselves to global standards and also those who own these institutions knowing that this is the best operational practice.”
“Looking at it today, the definition of literacy today is “computer literacy.” If you are literate and you cannot use the computer, then you are an illiterate. The computer itself is self-learning, you make a mistake, and it corrects you and prompts you on what next to do. So if somebody at any point in time is not computer literate, the person is an illiterate. This is the tool that will perfect all skills.”
On what his Faculty is doing to cope with the trend, Dr. Akoma mentioned that he has relayed to every lecturer to make sure their instructional material are in electronic format, which is the only way they can develop power point presentation for visual stimulus for students in the class.
When the instructional materials are very clear and readily available to the students for free, you would be sure that they are getting clear fact and information. There is no distortion, and as a matter a fact we have outlawed dictating notes in the Faculty.
“At the departmental level and through the funding of the University, we have been able to procure projectors for each department. We also strengthen staff on what they need to do and a few things we need to drive in our processes,” he added.
On behalf of the Chancellor, President, Governing Council, Senate, Staff, and Students, I join millions around the World in remembrance of a Colossus, our Founder, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa who transitioned on March 12, 1998.
Papa, it has been 20 years since you left us, but your teachings and words still guide and inspire us today.
It is a great honor to be part of one of the legacies you left behind. Although, I did not have the opportunity to meet you alive, but you have appeared in my dreams. In case your appearance was to enquire about the progress in Benson Idahosa University… I can answer affirmatively in one word, Multiplication:
- Student population has multiplied more than 30-fold.
- Only International member of the United States National Academy of Inventors in the continent of Africa.
- The Law faculty emerged 2016 National Moot court Champions organized by the International Red Cross Society.
- Two (2) Faculties has multiplied to six (6) with the addition of the post-graduate school.
- Staff strength has multiplied several folds.
- Winners of all 7 series Nigerian Private Universities Games Association (NPUGA) winner, since inception in 2007.
- 2016 Convocation ceremonies – Largest graduating class (902 students).
- All academic programmes accredited; one of the highest in the Nation.
- Four alumni appointed into the Edo state Judicial Council as Magistrate Judges.
- KU FM award for academic excellence to the Faculty of Law.
- The Campus has doubled (from one campus to two campuses).
- Alumni achievement – Bank Directors, Company Executives, Chief Executive Officers of start-ups Companies, Magistrate Judges, Special advisers to State Governments, Entertainment Icons etc.
- Graduates have received scholarship awards to study up to Ph.D level by the Israeli Government at the World Science Conference held in Israel. Other forms of academic scholarship in the U.S, and U.K.
- Hosted the first gubernatorial debate by any Nigerian University featuring nine gubernatorial candidates.
- Open Distance Learning (ODL) programme, being proposed.
- Among the top 10 most sought after private Universities in Nigeria.
- Recognition and applause of our academic programmes by notable organizations such as Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
- Partnerships with Universities such as Delaware University & Oral Roberts University, USA and Hebrew University, Israel.
- Steady staff emoluments.
- Research grants and donations have been made to the University.
Prof. E.B. Izevbigie FNAI
Vice Chancellor.
L-R : The Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, Prof. Innocent Umejesi; Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. B.U Anyata; Director of Academic Planning, Dr. Mark Ighile; Registrar, Benson Idahosa University, Rev. Mike Okagbare; IJMB representative, Mallam Mohammmed Laho; The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie; IJMB representative, Mr. Abiola Olosunde; Dean, Faculty of Law, Barr.(Mrs.) Stella Idehen; Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Bamidele Sanni and Dean, Faculty of Science, Prof. Osondu Akoma, during a courtesy call by executives from the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB)
The Rector of Benson Idahosa School of Basic and Applied Studies, Dr. Mark Ighile has charged matriculating students to tap into their talents in order to take advantage of opportunities in their chosen career. He made this known during the 2017/2018 matriculation ceremony of freshers recently admitted into the professional diploma awarding institution.
Giving his address, he said the essence of matriculation is to create a platform for those newly admitted into the school to become officially bonafide students.
“This matriculation therefore is the formal starting point of a two year journey. It is the ceremonial commencement of a process to stardom.”
Congratulating the new students whom have just performed the rites of statutory entrance into the school, he said that they have started well and by the grace of God they would end well if they adhere strictly to the institution’s rules and regulation.
“I celebrate you for making Benson Idahosa School of Basic and Applied Studies your choice of institution for academic, technical and vocational studies but you must be law abiding.”
“You are coming in at a time that it is no longer fashionable to brandish certificates without practical knowledge; a time when employability has become the norm, in other words, you don’t just look for jobs but become employers of labour.”
He added: “You are coming in at a time when Edo State Government and other non-governmental agencies are in a process of commencing collaboration with the institution. It will interest you to know that virtually all our programmes are accredited by the regulatory board, National Board for Technical Education and two more programmes are ready for resource verification.”
Speaking on the theme “You have what it takes” the Rector told the students that they have what it takes to succeed, to excel, and what it takes to get to the top.
“There are things in you that are looking and waiting for expression, there is a talent in you that must be tapped. There are skills in you that are waiting to be nourished,” he said.
He encouraged the students saying, “There is a lion in you that you must wake up now to be a wonder to your generation. Look at the various opportunities waiting for you to be tapped in Innovative Agriculture, Banking Operations, Film and Television Production, Paralegal Studies, Computer Software Engineering, Professional Development Early Childhood Care Management and beyond. The more you tap into it, the possibility of you becoming a champion in your field.”
Giving a brief about the institution, the Rector who doubles as the Director of Academic Planning at Benson Idahosa University, a sister institution said the Diploma Programme is committed to building a brand of excellence in technical, vocational and professional education.
He reminded them that the journey ahead of them isn’t challenge free; therefore, they should ignore distractions.
He said: “Please understand that there would be distractions on the way, you have not been promised a challenge free journey but those who are victors are known to surmount challenges and I look forward to releasing you at the graduation ceremony not too long from now.”
He appreciated the parents for believing in the institution by sending their wards to the school and assured them that with God on its side the school would surely justify the confidence reposed in us.
Administering the matriculation oath on the students in the presence of the school’s principal officers, the Registrar of the Institution, Mr. Enoma Aruevbose advised the students not to go against the letters of the oath as it will attract penalties based on the school’s Student Disciplinary Act.
The Dean, Benson Idahosa University (BIU) School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Bamidele Sanni has stated that the pressure to ‘publish or perish’ has steadily increased in recent years, thereby contributing to the high rate of plagiarism in the academia.
He disclosed this during an interview with the Communication and Brand Strategy (CBSU) correspondent.
According to him, it is generally believed that in the higher education system in Nigeria, an academic who is not publishing will soon perish or remain unannounced in the system. In order to avoid perishing, most of them would want to publish so many papers, and in the process they get involved in plagiarism.
He added that the trend to publish has taken many to the top hierarchy without specialization in their fields.
“For instance, to be an Associate Professor you need a minimum of twelve publications, for Professors you need a minimum of 18 publications and this varies from University to University. These numbers of publication has played a vital role in the selection, appointment, promotions and approval of research grants.”
He added: “Plagiarism is a crime, it is because we are putting too much emphasis on publish or perish; If you don’t publish you cannot be promoted.”
The Dean who doubles as the Chairman, Committee of Deans of Postgraduate Studies (CDPGS) also noted that lack of facilities for lecturers to work with, result to them embracing the unethical means, plagiarism.
“If you are in the humanities, it is a matter of thinking in your field, in science we do experiments, though some Universities may not have the adequate resources for them to do research; hence encouraging plagiarism.
On the deplorable state of education in the nation, he blamed the government for not paying proper attention to education by funding it adequately.
He noted that The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) careful stipulated that a minimum of 20 percent of the National Budget should be allocated to education. But regrettably, President Muhammadu Buhari allocated only 7.04% of the 8.6 trillion 2018 budget to education.