Provost, Federal College of Education (Technical), Umunze, Anambra State, Dr. Tessy Okoli, has emphasised the need for employable skills among students in tertiary institutions.
She said the acquisition of technical skills would enable students become job creators on graduation and reduce youth unemployment in the country.
Okoli stated this during the recent matriculation of the college, which marked the formal admission of new students, at the Convocation Arena of the college’s main campus.
She advised the students to take advantage of the entrepreneurship and vocational programmes in the institution for self-development.
According to her, the college places high premium on technical and vocational skills, as well as information and communication technology (ICT), to equip students with employable skills that would make them relevant in the present society.
The provost said Nigeria needs a new generation of entrepreneurs and experts in ICT that would drive key innovation and development in critical sectors. She said the College lays strong emphasis on entrepreneurship, Information and communication Technology (ICT), technical and vocational training in fulfilment of her mandate to raise skilled graduates.
“The acquisition of ICT skills is compulsory for students in this college. The digital revolution in the world today is ICT driven, and all students are expected to join this champions’ league,” she maintained.
Okoli, who is also the National President, Association of Women in Colleges of Education in Nigeria, explained that a student of the college, Nweke Kenechukwu, was certified as Google Ambassador after a successful participation in the global training programme.
She expressed gladness that more students of the institution have continued to blaze the trail in the ICT sector as content creators, programmers, and computer software engineers.
“To encourage our students in ICT, the college established an ICT Academy for training in various computer packages and programmes.
The college virtual library recently unveiled free Internet services for staff and students to carry out their research with ease. Wifi connection has also been activated at some sections of the college and would soon be spread to users across the campus,” she explained.
The provost described the institution as an emerging centre of academic excellence, and advised the students to make good use of the opportunity to excel in their studies.
She noted that more than 10 students of the college won Federal Government scholarship within the past three years and charged other students to improve their performance in order to meet the entry qualification for the scholarship. She promised that the College would continue to provide the required facilities and academic support for all students.
Dr Okoli frowned at the increasing rate of academic fraud among students in tertiary institution, and raised a red flag against such vices.
“Let me state clearly that ‘sorting’ or money-for-marks does not exist here. This college discourages harassment or exploitation of students in any form. Apart from some measures already in place, we will soon introduce a whistle-blowing system where any of such gross misconducts can be reported and strict sanctions would be applied,” she warned.
The highpoint of the matriculation ceremony was the administration of matriculation oath on the new students by the college Registrar, Bessie Nkah.
The students promised to abide by the rules and regulations of the college, and not belong to any cult-group, but remain disciplined and industrious throughout their study in the institution.