….As KWASU plans to float B.Sc in Digital Economy
The Director General/ CEO of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr Kashifu Inuwa has assured management of the Kwara State University (KWASU) of its agency’s unalloyed support for the successful take off and seamless operations of the KWASU Center for Digital Economy (CDE) and other related programmes.
Mr Inuwa gave the assurance on Wednesday (January 25, 2023) during his keynote address at the KWASU Digital Economy Sensitisation Lecture Series 2023 and Launching of KWASU-CDE held at Savanah Hall, along Ajase-Ipo Road, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.
The NITDA boss who spoke through the Director Standards Guidelines and Frameworks, Mr Oladejo Olawuyi said that Digital Economy presents a wealth of opportunities for growth and innovation in the society.
Speaking on the title “Digital Economy : The Triple Helix Model of Government, People and Institutions, Inuwa maintained that there is urgent need to come together and work together as government, institutions, and people to ensure that it is inclusive and sustainable for all.
Prof K. A Ajao
“In order for us to fully reap the potential benefits of the Digital Economy, we have to aggregate our resources together as government, people and institutions” he said.
He therefore commended the management of the KWASU for its good vision by establishing CDE with another brilliant idea to commence B. S.c in Digital Economy describing the decision as very apt and worthwhile.
Inuwa gave assurance that his agency would do everything humanly possible to support the institution to enable it achieve its set goals.
“I would like to congratulate KWASU on the launch of the Digital Economy Centre and encourage its full utilization, and assure the support of NITDA in this project” he pledged.
He added “Tertiary institutions play a critical role in the development of the Digital Economy. They are the engines of innovation and provide the knowledge, skills, and research necessary for the Digital Economy to grow. It is important that these institutions align their activities and curriculum with current societal demands and provide opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience through internships at relevant organizations.
“The government, through organizations like NITDA, can support these institutions by providing infrastructure, grants, and regulations that foster capacity development” he added.
In his welcome address, the Ag. Vice Chancellor of the Kwara State University, Prof. Shaykh Luqman Jimoh disclosed that establishment of KWASU-CDE is one other way Kwara State University is contributing to the growth of her immediate and extended environment, by bringing together key players in the digital economy world to sensitise participants of the diverse ways the digital economy can be jointly harnessed by the government, the people and the institutions to drive the economy and improve the general quality of life of the people.
Prof. Jimoh explained that the KWASU CDE was established to create avenues for digital education for citizens to tap into the digital economy, adding that the Centre is in collaboration with Ilorin Innovation Hub and is backed by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), for Digital Economy training.
The KWASU boss however appreciated NITDA for the donation of equipment through the partnership of Ilorin Innovation Hub, and sought for more supports for the center in the nearest future.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Board of CDE, Prof. Kajogbola A. Ajao, said CDE is a collaboration between KWASU and Ilorin Innovation Hub, saying that it is one of the many signature initiatives of the late Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi SAN.
He said the CDE was envisioned to take digital economy capacity development to the community and engage the positive digital energy of our youth at all levels, pointing out that the Centre is saddled with the responsibility of organizing short courses training and award certificates in:i.Start-up digital businessesii.Business managementiii.Digital marketingiv.Digital paymentv.Digital finance literacyvi.Digital entrepreneurship, among others.
He disclosed that efforts are on top gear to commence B.Sc in Digital Economy, saying that that thebprogramme wipuld make KWASU to be one of the very first Universities in Nigeria to award the B.Sc. in Digital Economy.
“One of the great support pillars to KWASU CDE is NITDA. Barely, 2 months after take-off of the Centre, NITDA came knocking with supporting equipment such as computers, network equipment and solar power back-up system, we are very grateful sir”.
“Another great support pillar to KWASU and many of our centres and activities is the Royal Media Group, sir, we sincerely thank you for your arious contributions to our University, Prof. Ajao said.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Director of KWASU-CDE, Mrs Hassana Bello hinted that the center was established by the late Vice Chancellor, Prof. Muhammed Mustapha Akanbi SAN in 2022.
Mrs Bello said the center has since it inception trained large number of people on various topics under digital economy.
Discussants at the event included the founder of Royal FM radio and Chairman of Royal Media Group, Engineer Gbenga Adebayo,; the Managing Director of Ilorin Innovation Hub Mr Temi Kolawole and several others as they all emphasized on the relevance and Importance of Digital Economy in this generation.
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