The Nation Newspaper

Tag: digital skills

  • Varsity signs MoU with Cisco, others to drive digital skills

    Varsity signs MoU with Cisco, others to drive digital skills

    The Cosmopolitan University, Abuja has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four international organisations to drive digital skills and entrepreneurial spirit among students.

    The four organisations are; Cisco, a multinational technology company and Global Wissen Consult which specialises in Digital Entrepreneurship programmes.

    Others are Confucius Institute for Mandarin to offer students the opportunity to learn Mandarin and foster cross-cultural understanding and Across Atlantic Development (AAD), a company dedicated to building a just and sustainable world by embarking on global projects and proffering solutions to business challenges.

    Signing the MoU in Abuja  last week,, Vice – Chancellor of the University Prof. Carl Adams, said the partnerships are intended to prioritise experiential learning, equipping its students with the skills and mindset to navigate an ever-evolving landscape.

    Cosmopolitan university was one of the 37 newly approved private universities by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

    The Vice Chancellor said: “By collaborating with industry partners, we ensure our graduates are not just academically proficient but are also ready to make immediate contributions in their chosen fields.

    Read Also: Varsity sign MoU with four firms to drive digital skills

    “Our commitment to strategy and collaboration is ultimately a commitment to empowering the individuals who walk through our corridors every day. Education is not merely a transfer of knowledge; it is the catalyst for personal and societal transformation.”

    According to him, the collaborations it embarks on are cross-disciplinary and designed to break down intellectual silos in order to encourage a cross-pollination of ideas.

    “These companies are industry leaders and institutions dedicated to building environments and opportunities where innovation thrives.

    “In this era of innovation and change, we want our Cosmopolitan students to be perfectly positioned to make waves and spread their wings.

    “The goal is to propel them beyond the academic demands of their respective courses, providing them with the resources and opportunities to become global superstars,” he added.

  • ‘Digital skills will create more inclusive Africa’

    ‘Digital skills will create more inclusive Africa’

    Ecobank Group has launched a three-year ‘transforming africa through education’ campaign, which it kicked-off with a focus on digital education and equipping children and youth with the digital skills they need for the jobs of tomorrow.

    The launch was part of the 10th anniversary of Ecobank Day, the group’s flagship social impact event.

    Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, Jeremy Awori said: Ecobank Day reflected the giving spirit of all 14,000 staff across the group.

    “For 10 years, it has given us an opportunity to manifest our commitment to making a positive impact in the communities we serve. This year, we focus on digital education, which is critical for Africa to leapfrog and accelerate its development.

    “For several years, Ecobank has embarked on a journey of digitalization – consistent with our deep belief in the transformative power of digital technology for a more inclusive future in Africa. It is only natural that on this Ecobank Day, we have supported the launch of a series of training programmes and provided the necessary infrastructure to offer basic digital education to youth across Africa,” Awori said.

    Ahead of the Ecobank Day celebrations, Ecobank Foundation, in partnership with the Global Partnership for Education and UN Women, organised a webinar entitled ‘Igniting Africa’s Digital Future through the Power of Coding’.

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    The webinar was well-attended with over a thousand participants, and featured experts and the youth, discussing the importance of ensuring that all African children and youth have access to digital skills, mostly coding and programming, that are essential for jobs of the future and a fulfilled life. You can watch the webinar here.

    Ecobank’s affiliates across 33 sub-Saharan African countries has also continued to hold a range of activities to raise awareness and knowledge of the importance of digital skills for Africa’s children and youth. These activities include creating or equipping IT Labs, refurbishing schools, providing youth digital skills training workshops, partnering with schools to improve digital facilities, mentoring initiatives and more.

    The group stated that Ecobank Day has supported a wide range of causes over the years since 2013. These have included Education for young people in Africa (2013); Malaria prevention and control (2014); Every African child deserves a better future (2015); ICT education in schools and improving maternal health (2016); Safe water management (2017); Orphanages (2018); Cancer (2019); Diabetes (2020); Mental health (2021) and financial literacy and financial inclusion (2022).

  • Access, NerdzFactory Foundation empower 500 youths with digital skills

    Access, NerdzFactory Foundation empower 500 youths with digital skills

    NerdzFactory Foundation, in collaboration with Access, has empowered Nigerian youths with essential digital and technology skills.

    Launched in September 2023, the programme has effectively bridged the digital divide among young Nigerians and provided them with the knowledge and skills to thrive in the digital age.

    The managing director of NerdzFactory Foundation, Ade Olowojoba, who reiterated the programme’s significance, said: “In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, essential technology skills are not just an advantage; they’re a necessity. Nigeria’s youth are at the forefront of our nation’s digital future, and through DigiGap 2.0, we’ve equipped them with the knowledge and skills needed to ignite a wave of innovation and economic empowerment, shaping a brighter, more digitally inclusive future for Nigeria.

    Read Also: Lagos DSVA empowers over 400 girls with digital skills

    “The DigiGap 2.0 Program featured an array of engaging activities aimed at maximizing participants’ learning experiences. It included a webinar series where industry experts shared valuable insights into starting careers in the tech space. Participants embarked on an intensive four-week training, delving deeper into their chosen tracks to cultivate practical skills and excel in their respective fields. There was also a Demo Day, where participants showcased the projects they developed during the training period, exhibiting their newfound expertise and creativity.”

    NerdzFactory Foundation and Access also restated their partnership, emphasising their shared commitment to the success of the DigiGap Programme.