…Seeks town, gown collaboration
From Magnus Eze, Enugu
Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) has ended the annual international conference of the Faculty of Management Sciences at its Agbani main campus, with a charge on educational institutions to take advantage of the opportunities inherent in digitalisation.
The conference which focused on the pivotal role of digital education in driving economic sustainability also came up with far-reaching recommendations including fostering closer ties between the town and gown.
Former President of Nigerian Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani, the keynote speaker, Abel Nwobodo, Rector of the Institute of Management Technology (IMT) Enugu, Prof. Austin Nweze, serial entrepreneur and CEO of the Tenece Group of Companies, Chief Kingsley Eze, among other speakers at the programme from September 28-30, all called for complete embrace of digitalisation in teaching and learning.
In her opening remarks, Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Chioma Oleka, said the 3-day conference with the theme: “Digitalization of the educational system through entrepreneurship and business models for a sustainable economy: A practical approach,” was an opportunity to learn, grow, and shape the future of education in the digital age.
She underlined the collaborative spirit uniting scholars and stakeholders, highlighting their shared mission to forge sustainable economic development through the fusion of entrepreneurship and digital education. This convergence of expertise and vision, according to her, promises to redefine education’s role in nurturing a robust and dynamic workforce.
This year’s conference was hybrid and also had a special dimension as it coincided with Prof. Oleka’s one-year tenure as the faculty’s first female dean since its establishment in 1980.
Not a few believe that her leadership and commitment to innovation have set the stage for a new era in educational excellence.
Chairman of the event, Chief Kingsley Eze, urged ESUT management, Enugu State, and Federal Governments to be deliberate and practical in moving into the digital world by making necessary investments in the digitalization of learning.
Eze enjoined the institution and government to take advantage of international digital linkages and collaborations for the betterment of the youths and equipping them for the international labour market.
“We must find a way to get those with digital skills and incorporate them fully into the vision of the institution and state as the world is evolving very fast due to the powerful impact of digital technology,” he stated.
Dwelling on the practical implementation of digital education, participants explored how digital learning can become a catalyst for economic sustainability through entrepreneurship, offering a timely and pragmatic vision for the future of education.
Rector of IMT, Prof. Nweze, in his lecture, tasked the federal and state governments on free data to help students drive digital explorative learning and digital entrepreneurship.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Patrick Ejim, the rector said that providing free data (or Wi-Fi services) in strategic places, especially in institutions and public places where youths gather, remained a vital demand in building the nation’s digital pursuit.
He said: “We need to also localize digital learning to get more of our people to access learning on soft skills digitally and create digital hubs in communities and council areas where digital apprenticeship can be possible.
“We must reorganize our digital policy to provide opportunities that can take care of modern necessities in our changing environment.”
Managing Director of Phenomenal Energy Ltd, Nwobodo, in his keynote speech held that adopting digital education for entrepreneurship growth would create a world of unending opportunities.
Nwobodo urged educational institutions to remodel the way of learning by driving learning digitally to reach hundreds of thousands of people rather than the few people in a classroom.
He noted that digital learning or education could be used to spark positive innovation and competition among young minds if well harnessed.
Vice-Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, disclosed that the institution was remodelling its idea of education towards practical skills; thus, experts in the town will come, teach, and share their daily experiences with students in the institution.
Okolie also said that the institution was working on full automation of all its engagements, especially putting courses and classrooms online and going full digitalization for people to subscribe and learn.
“As an institution, we want to bring the town (local experts) and gown (institution) together, and we will work out practical ways of creating skills, employment, and self-reliance for our teeming youths,” he said.
The VC also lauded the former Senate President, Nnamani, for fixing the power challenge in the university as well as helping to ensure the institution gets its power supply from a steady power sub-station within Enugu.
Organisers flaunted the successful implementation of the hybrid conference format. It noted that the theme was thoroughly discussed, leading to the development of various roadmaps for the advancement of digital education in different contexts.
Accordingly, the conference deliberation will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the future of educational systems in Nigeria and beyond.
Secretary of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Dr. Andy Apeh said one of the key highlights was the establishment of a fruitful synergy between professionals, entrepreneurs, and students, thereby, fostering an environment conducive to mentorship and knowledge transfer.
“This collaboration aims to provide students with invaluable guidance and support as they embark on their careers,” he said.
As Nigeria confronts the rapidly advancing technological landscape, it is crucial to recognize the importance of embracing digital platforms across different academic disciplines.
The conference identified such challenges as funding constraints, limited access to necessary technology and infrastructure, and the need to bridge the digital divide among faculty members and students alike.
However, moving forward, Daily Sun learnt that several post-conference programmes and projects have been outlined to further entrench the outcome of the event and build upon its success.
Already, all participants were required to submit their fully corrected research work by October 17, 2023 to ensure timely publication of the Faculty Journal and book of proceedings.
“We are planning to publish selected research papers in our reputed Faculty academic journals, further contributing to the advancement of knowledge in management sciences. The production of the Faculty Journal, emanating from the papers presented in this learned conference, will provide a platform for academics, researchers, and practitioners to contribute their work, disseminating knowledge across the globe,” the LOC report stated.
It also said that an entrepreneurial book which focuses on the key insights and learnings from the conference would soon be released. The book will provide students with comprehensive knowledge, practical insights, and real-life case studies.
The LOC further said that “Empowering their entrepreneurial mindset will contribute to economic growth, job creation, and a more prosperous society. This publication aims to inspire and guide aspiring entrepreneurs in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
“Through the production of textbooks on the digitalization of education, we will equip educators across the African education system with the necessary tools, frameworks, and strategies to successfully integrate technology into their teaching methodologies.
“A comprehensive book of proceedings will be compiled, capturing the essence of the conference, including abstracts, presentations, and key takeaways, for wider dissemination among scholars and practitioners.”
Additionally, it said that plans were on to establish an e-library within the faculty to provide students and staff with easy access to a wide range of digital resources.