Stakeholders within the schooling sector have emphasised the necessity for a strong pupil data administration system and better digital transformation.
Talking on the 2024 Worldwide Week and seventeenth Analysis Convention organised by the College of Lagos (UNILAG), themed: ‘Inclusive digital transformation and the college promise.’ they reviewed the progress to date made, and future aspirations for digital transformation inside their establishments.
The Vice Chancellor, UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, mirrored on the establishment’s journey in the direction of digital transformation within the final 57 years, noting that important infrastructure enhancements, together with high-speed web capabilities of as much as 10 gigabytes per second, had been established throughout the establishment’s three campuses.
Nevertheless, Ogunsola famous that regardless of these developments, challenges stay, notably electrical energy points impacting gear and operations.
She stated: “The college has applied a strong pupil data administration system to streamline record-keeping, however ongoing reliance on paper information complicates processes for alumni, particularly regarding elevated demand for transcripts pushed by the Japa syndrome, the place many search schooling and alternatives overseas.”
The VC additional spoke on the establishment’s ongoing efforts to digitise administrative processes, making the college extra sustainable and inclusive, notably for college students with disabilities.
Ogunsola famous that regardless of useful resource limitations and mind drain, Nigerian universities are making important strides of their digital transformation efforts.
The First Secretary of European Union’s (EU) Fee in Nigeria, Prof. Leila Mathews, burdened the EU’s help for Nigerian larger schooling via scholarships, analysis grants, and collaborative partnerships, notably within the digital innovation sector.
Talking on the success of the Erasmus programme, she famous its important position in fostering a shared European tradition and youth engagement.
The appearing Govt Secretary of the Nationwide Universities Fee (NUC), Dr Chris Maiyaki, addressed the urgent want for digital integration in larger schooling.
He burdened the transformative energy of know-how in schooling, notably highlighted in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He described the theme of the occasion as apt, because the establishment led the cost in the direction of the automation and digital supply of schooling throughout Nigeria.
Maiyaki outlined the fee’s historic dedication to digital networking and institution of assorted Info and Communication Expertise (ICT) insurance policies, together with pointers for e-learning and open academic assets.
He emphasised the company’s position as a regulatory physique in facilitating digital developments, enabling overseas funding in Nigerian universities, and making certain high quality requirements in schooling supply.
Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State College of Science and Expertise (LASUSTECH), Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, restated the establishment’s dedication to digital transformation as a strategic method to bettering techniques and effectivity.
Odusanya added that the institutionhas continued to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, whereas searching for to retain its brightest college students and school amid difficult societal circumstances.
He revealed the college’s developments in high-speed web entry, which supported analysis and communication.
“We’re additionally increasing the digitalisation of operations, together with transcripts and bursary capabilities, eliminating the necessity for college students to go to banks for funds. The introduction of an ICT initiative targeted on pc science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and synthetic intelligence. This initiative will allow seamless operations in educating and analysis, making certain all communications are digital whether or not via WhatsApp or e-mail,” he stated.
When requested in regards to the challenges confronted throughout this transformation, he recognized funding and entry to information.
“Regardless of these challenges, there are huge alternatives obtainable, notably in harnessing the vitality of our youth to create native content material and modern functions that handle Nigeria’s urgent issues,” he said.
Vice-Chancellor, Pan Atlantic College, Prof. Enase Okonedo, defined that the college initially established a neighborhood platform for pupil administration and important providers, however the onset of COVID-19 accelerated the necessity to migrate these techniques to the cloud for higher entry.
Trying forward, she expressed hope for elevated help for personal universities from initiatives like Tertiary Schooling Fund (TETFund), which had traditionally supported public establishments.
Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, defined the board’s important position in digitising Nigeria’s schooling system, saying the physique conducts entry examinations for about two million candidates, which he stated is unmatched globally.
Oloyede defined that JAMB employed superior ICT options for candidates registration and examination processes, enhancing safety and accuracy.
He highlighted the board’s Central Admission Processing System (CAPS), which ensured truthful therapy and fairness in admissions throughout 1,240 establishments, together with universities, polytechnics, and faculties of schooling.
Oloyede recommended the College of Lagos for its management in selling digital transformation, stating that the collaboration between JAMB and the establishment enhanced the general academic expertise for college students.
Mr Joseph Odoh, who represented the Govt Secretary of the Tertiary Schooling Belief Fund, Sonny Echono, emphasised the significance of enhancing digital inclusion, standardisation, and entry to educating, studying, and analysis.
Odoh highlighted the company’s shift from conventional infrastructure provision to utilising ICT as a key enabler in schooling, particularly in mild of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
