Unijos VC Identifies Technology Adoption as Key to Solving Varsities' Challenges

UNIVERSITY OF JOS, JOS NIGERIA

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)

INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROTOCOL DIVISION

PRESS RELEASE

UNIJOS VC IDENTIFIES ADOPTION OF TECHNOLOGY AS KEY TO SOLVING VARSITIES’ CHALLENGES

Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, has called for the adoption of modern technology to address the mounting challenges facing Higher Education institutions in Nigeria. The Vice-Chancellor was speaking while delivering the Keynote Address at a Retreat organized for Principal Officers, Deans and Directors as well as other Senior Staff of the University, held at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru.

Professor Ishaya, who expressed deep concerns about the current state of Universities in Nigeria, emphasized the urgent need for technological solutions to enhance Research, Teaching, and overall service delivery in the Education sector.

The Vice-Chancellor identified inadequate funding for Research, poor remuneration of Academic and non-teaching Staff, as well as lack of government interest in the Education sector, as major factors hindering the quality of Education in the country. He expressed dismay that the government has left Universities to navigate these challenges on their own, with little support or engagement. Professor Ishaya pointed out that government often views Universities as failing in their duties because they do not produce graduates who meet the needs of the job market or generate revenue through impactful Research.

For him, “The current situation is worrisome, and if we are to see any real progress, the government must look into the needs of Universities, including the welfare of Staff, to ensure that Academic and other personnel are motivated to give their best.”  He further decried the fact that many University Staff are forced to take on additional jobs to meet their financial needs, which distracts them from their primary Academic responsibilities and affects the quality of their Teaching and Research output.

Despite these challenges, Professor Tanko emphasized the importance of maintaining a culture of sacrifice within the Academic community to prevent the Education sector from collapsing. According to him, the pressure from both the government and industry regarding the quality of graduates produced by Universities necessitated the retreat, which is aimed at brainstorming to formulate Action Plans and strategies for improving the quality of service delivery at the University.

The Vice-Chancellor firmly recommended the integration of technology into Academic and Administrative processes and argued that in an era where traditional methods are becoming increasingly obsolete, embracing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is essential for the growth of the University system. He pointed out that ICT, particularly Artificial Intelligence, has already made significant strides globally, and Universities must adopt these advancements to stay relevant, noting that the old ways of doing things are over. Professor Ishaya cautioned that the ICT sector has moved forward while Artificial Intelligence is here to stay, therefore the University system must embrace it in order to grow and thrive.

Professor Tanko announced that, as part of this technological shift, all General Studies (GST) courses in the University of Jos will henceforth, be delivered virtually. This is to alleviate the physical and logistical challenges faced by both Students and Staff by providing them with a more efficient and flexible learning environment.

In a presentation titled "Recruitment, Selection, Placement, Development, Promotions and Motivation of Employees", Registrar of the University of Jos, Dr. Rejoice James Songden highlighted the importance of a systematic and strategic approach to employee management, emphasizing how effective recruitment and selection processes can contribute to the overall success of the University.

The Registrar addressed the critical role of employee development and training programmes in fostering growth and motivation within the institution. She underscored the significance of providing opportunities for career advancement through promotions and continuous learning, all of which contribute to a motivated and high-performing workforce.

The retreat brought together the University leadership at various levels to share their experiences, offer valuable recommendations, and collaborate on strategies that will improve service delivery by the University especially with the utilization of technological solutions to foster innovation, improve teaching quality, and enhance Research output.

Signed

Abdullahi Abdullahi

Senior Deputy Registrar (Information & Publications)