Tag: Students

The Nigerian British University (NBU), Asa, Abia State, has warned its pioneer undergraduates against any form of cultism, examination malpractices and other social vices within its campus.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, gave the warning on yesterday during the school’s maiden matriculation.

The matriculation involved 65 undergraduates admitted into the institution’s start-up faculties of Law, Management & Social Sciences and Computing & Information Technology.

Addressing the students, Fawehinmi said:  “As pioneer students, I enjoin you to be law-abiding as the Nigerian British University has zero tolerance for cultism, examination misconduct, unruly behaviour and other forms of social vices, because at the end, the certificate issued will be based on character and learning, with character preceding learning.

“I admonish you to use the Internet wisely, desist from the inordinate use of social media, as the university strives to provide essential municipal services, ICT infrastructure and recreational facilities that will motivate you to perform optimally and give you an exquisite learning experience.

“I urge you to make the best of this opportunity and associate yourselves with groups that support your academic, social, professional and spiritual wellbeing.”

Fawehinmi explained that the university offered its students the option of studying for two years within their campus in Nigeria and completing their remaining two years in any of the school’s foreign partner universities in the United Kingdom.

He said: “NBU offers affordable British standard education and provides our students with the opportunity of studying abroad in one of our partner Universities in the United Kingdom.

“Our drive towards internationalisation has led to Strategic Engagements, Affiliations and Partnerships, through MoUs, with some foreign universities, and this has opened new vista for joint projects, academic visits and conferences, undergraduate – postgraduate students and staff exchanges and collaborative research hub for knowledge exchange.

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“With this, our students have the option of studying for two years on our campus, and completing their remaining two years in one of our foreign partner universities in the United Kingdom, or completing their programme with us and ‘topping – it – up’ with a one year master’s degree in one of our affiliate institutions in the United Kingdom, before undertaking their mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).”

“Our drive towards the employability of our graduates, even while still in school, shall be approached through an enhancement in their hands-on skills by increasing the experiential component of their training.”

The VC thanked the Government of Abia State, the university’s host community, neighbouring institutions and development partners for their cooperation.

“We assure you that as a responsible institution, this harmonious relationship which is anchored on peace and progress will not be taken for granted, and will be sustained and nurtured into the future. We are open to partner with investors and welcome donors who wish to share in our social capital”, he said.

Creator platform, Selar, has announced the launch of its school tuition support project: ‘Selar Tuition Fund’, to support students in tertiary institutions.

Nigeria is facing challenging economic periods, resulting in increase in cost of living.

This has raised concern about consequences for development of youths. The cost of education has been affected, with a rise in tuition fees.

The objective of ‘Selar Tuition Fund’’ is to alleviate the burden on students.

The project will be an annual initiative, and this long term commitment demonstrates Selar’s dedication to promoting access to education in Nigeria.

Participants must be final year students, with CGPA of 3.0/cumulative grade of 65 per cent; statement of purpose; and a financial need.

Applicants should fill out a form using https://events.selar.co/page/schoolfund.

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The application period for Selar’s Tuition Support Project will be open from February 14 to 21. Interested students are encouraged to submit their applications during this period.

Speaking further Douglas Kendyson said “Creators monetizing their knowledge is the reason Selar exists. While a lot of the knowledge monetized today might be informal, the importance of formal education on any individual cannot be overstated. For many, an education is their gateway to accessing a whole new world that would’ve been unattainable, and that’s why this fund is so important to us. Every child deserves quality education and we’re so happy to make our own little contribution to this. Can’t wait to see the amazing students selected this year”.

British School of Outdoor Education (BSOE), has said it is partnering University of Abuja to train students in digital skills.

Coordinator, John Aikeremiokha, said Nigeria should equip youths with tools and skills to thrive in technology.

With launch of blockchain technology and digital economy initiatives, Aikeremiokha said demand for professionals in digital sphere has never been higher.

“Yet, many students lack access to quality training to unlock their full potential.

“That’s why we announce an initiative to provide digital skills training to five million students,” he said.

He added: “The ability to demonstrate IT skills on one’s resume is essential for getting noticed by employers and securing interviews. In a recent survey, over 80 percent of recruiters cited proficiency in digital technologies as a top requirement for job candidates.

By participating in this training program, students will not only gain valuable skills but also enhance their employability and stand out in a crowded job market.

But we cannot do this alone. While the training itself is free for students, there are still costs associated with obtaining certificates and necessary software.

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That’s why we are reaching out to well-meaning Nigerians to offer their support in helping poor students pay for these essential expenses. With your generous contributions, we can ensure that every student, regardless of their financial background, has the opportunity to benefit from this life-changing program.”

He also announced the launch of the Earn As You Learn initiative, which will allow students to gain practical experience and earn income while continuing their education.

“This innovative program not only empowers students financially but also fosters a culture of entrepreneurship and self-reliance among the youth of Nigeria.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of Nigerian students and pave the way for a brighter, more prosperous future for our nation,” he said.

University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED) in Ondo State has offered automatic employment to three of its best graduating students in 2022/2023 academic session.

They are Miss Franciscq Ademulegun, who got first class in Physiology, Miss Marcy Saba, who was the best female graduating student and Michael Aremu, the best male graduating student.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, who made this known at the university’s fifth convocation, said the institution was committed to supporting the beneficiaries to pursue further education.

He said 19 of 528 graduating students bagged first class degree, 217 got second class upper, 94 got second class lower, while 15 bagged the third class honours.

Fatusi said the institution would not relent in its effort to push for the advancement of African Herbal Medicine.

He said it believed it was time to end neglect of the huge and untapped potential of Africa’s God-given heritage.

The VC noted that African medicine held the key to unlocking the door for Nigeria and Africa to make contributions to drug development and health advancement on the global stage.

He urged the state government to give special attention and intervention funds to accelerate development in the institution.

Fatusi said: “The government needs to help ensure UNIMED continues to be a TETFUND beneficiary institution. So far, TETFUND has been the main source of funding UNIMED’s infrastructural deficit.

“As a specialised university, UNIMED has the highest need for developmental projects and resources.”

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Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said N1billion had been earmarked for the construction of a Senate building at the main campus of the institution.

He said he was committed to taking developmental agenda of the state to the next level.

Delivering the convocation lecture, Chief Executive Officer, Background Check International, Kola Olugbodi, advised the graduating students to seek opportunities in the untapped potential for innovation within the country.

He advised them to view economic difficulties as a canvas for creativity as well as find novel solution to enhance health care delivery.

He said: “There are lots of good things happening in Nigeria. Anytime you see a society where things are not working, that is a society with lots of opportunities.  There are opportunities here. Let’s stay here. We have entered the age of entrepreneurship. Begin to think entrepreneurship.”

No fewer than 12,000 students of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) are currently undergoing a week-long skills acquisition and innovation training.

The aim, it was gathered, is to discover future talents in innovation among the participants.

The programme dubbed ‘TEC-ASBE Innovation Week’ was organised by the Technical and Entrepreneurship Centre (TEC) of the university in partnership with six other African universities to encourage entrepreneurship and reduce unemployment among graduates.

Speaking with The Nation on the sidelines of the weeklong programme, Director, TEC, Prof Raheem Adebimpe, said, “The world over, emphasis is on innovation and no longer on reading Medicine, Geography, Law, Accounting.

“As important as they are, we discover they’re not enough”, he said.

Adebimpe, a professor of Geography at the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ilorin, said the emphasis of the present administration of the vice-chancellor of the university, Professor Wahab Egbewole (SAN), is to intentionally reduce unemployability.

“Innovation is being celebrated worldwide and different universities have a way of doing it. In our case, we’re setting aside this week and part of next week to celebrate innovation among our students”, he said.

Adebimpe said a total of 12,000 students registered online to participate in one vocation/talent or the other in the programme, adding, “There will be N1 million prizes for winners for start-up and scale-up of their chosen innovation. There will be N500,000, N300,000, and N200,000 for the first winner, second winner, and third winner, respectively”.

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“The truth of the matter is that no nation develops based on natural resources. If you like to sell the whole oil, it won’t make us rich. It’s what we do with our hands that can take us out of poverty. The resources abound and you can make fortunes out of materials around you.

“The students union took interest and they are involved. On Variety Night, there will be visiting carefully selected celebrities like Femi Adebayo and Wunmi Toriola, who are also alumni making waves outside what they studied in the university.

“With the inception of the new administration of Professor Olasupo Egbewole SAN as vice chancellor of the university, his emphasis is to intentionally reduce unemployability. How do we do that? We must fashion out an innovative way of ensuring that students have things to lay their hands on apart from the degree they’re carrying around.”

“Kwara State First Lady, Olufolake Abdulrazaq, Vice Chancellor of UNILORIN, commissioner, and vice chancellors of six universities in Africa that make up ASBE will be in attendance.

“300-Level students are in the skill acquisition category programme for about 81 skills, while the talent hunt is for all levels of university students.”

The federal government, on Wednesday, January 17, reaffirmed that the January target for the take off of the Students Loan Scheme is still very much intact.

Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, gave the affirmation while addressing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

According to the Minister, that all is now set for the scheme to begin with the completion of the Student Loan Scheme’s website and conclusion on technical plans that would facilitate the kick off of the scheme.  

He also stated that funds have been made available for the scheme in the 2024 Appropriation Act as well as the Supplementary Budget for 2023.

He noted: “January is a reality for the commencement of Student loan scheme in Nigeria, already the website is almost done. Application for beneficiaries will be online, criteria for students to get admission is that you must be a Nigerian and find yourself in a public school and application is also online which will be processed timely and you can access your loan within 30 days.

“Funds have been set aside in the 2024 appropriation act so as also the supplementary budget for 2023.”

Meanwhile, Sununu had earlier disclosed that the Ministry of Education presented a note to the council, prepared by the ministry and the National Universities Commission, on the guidelines for implementing transnational education in Nigeria.

He explained that the scheme would allow foreign degree-awarding institutions the room to set base in Nigeria, employ local talent, admit local students and lessen the pressure on existing higher institutions of learning.

Explaining the rationale for this, he cited Nigeria as a member of the World Trade Organisation since 1995 and a signatory to the General Agreement of Trade in Services, which was signed in 1995.

He argued that such trade services include documented education that is exportable across borders.

“We are all aware of the effort of Mr. President to increase access to education with greater number of graduates and secondary school leavers seeking to be graduates or undergraduates in our tertiary institutions.

“The Placement is becoming a serious issue and therefore, the ministry came up with a transnational education policy. What it means is that exchange of cross-fertilisation of ideas exchange that progressive education can be done across borders.

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“The documents provide a guideline whereby foreign institutions can collaborate with local institutions within the country or establish a campus within the country.

“Economically, transnational education would decrease the pressure on the naira as it exchanges with the dollar. This is the justification presented to the council, and the council graciously noted the presentation of the document so that it can be implemented to increase access to tertiary education in Nigeria.”

He said the scheme comes with no monetary cost to the FG. Instead, it will “attract funds to government.”

“So if you have a campus in Nigeria, you will get the certificate of that same institution. And the quality in terms of education and service delivery will be as standardised as that obtained in the parent institution.

“So to curb the issue of fake certification that we have been battling with, that is why we have sat down and come up with a policy document for you to establish a campus within the country; you must agree and be able to satisfy 100 per cent the provision of the guidelines, as rightly noted by the FEC.”