One Hundred selected staff of the Federal Polytechnic Oko have been trained on emerging technology for enhanced digital skills, data analysis and cyber security by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) through the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Abuja.
The 5 days intensive training which held at the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Academy of the institution was declared open by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie.
The capacity building programme, sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) under the Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions (ADEPTI) was delivered by the Digital Bridge Institute ( DBI).
Participants were exposed to digital skills, emerging technologies, the use of SPSS and Microsoft Power BI in data analysis and cyber security.
Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Dr. Chioma Awuzie in her address expressed joy that Federal Polytechnic Oko was approved as a beneficiary of this Advanced Digital Empowerment Programme for Tertiary Institutions(ADEPTI).
Represented at the opening ceremony by the Deputy Rector Administration, Dr. Kenneth Ezekwe, Rector expressed optimism that the training will equip the staff with digital skills and enhance their relevance in the 21st century technology driven labour market.
“This training is in line with the management’s vision of enhancing staff capacity for optimum performance. This is the era of technological innovation and our institution has to be in the fore front.
“I understand that the training covers the following key areas; digital skills and cyber security, ICT office productivity tools, E- teaching and E-library tools, data analysis and visualisation, collaboration and emerging technology skills”
She used the opportunity to thank the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) and the Nigerian Communications Commission for their support to the programme while assuring that her administration will not relent in ensuring that staff are consistently updated with digital tools and relevant knowledge that will strengthen their competence and drive management’s vision of standardizing the academic and administrative processes of the polytechnic.
Earlier, the President/ CEO of the Digital Bridge Institute, David Daser who spoke through the coordinator of the programme, Mr. Calistus Oko commended the management of Federal Polytechnic Oko for showing commitment to capacity development initiatives by requesting the enactment of the ADEPTI programme in the institution.
He explained that the overall objectives of the programme was to know the essential concepts and principles of Internet governance and emerging technologies and perform data analysis and data visualization of educational and research data using SPSS and Microsoft Power BI.
“To understand and maximize the tools and features of microsoft office applications, and use Microsoft Office applications to automate and simplify office and academic tasks, to understand and apply cyber security measures, collaborate online using simple internet tools, and understand and apply techniques for the application of the internet in supporting academic activities.
Other objectives include transiting from manual educational records administration, academic process and data analysis to the use of ICT tools for such processes, adding that the programme is fully funded and sponsored by the Nigerian Communications Commission.
During the closing ceremony, he commended participants for their comportment during the programme and enjoined them to apply the skills gained during the training to drive innovation and growth.
He further revealed that DBI is open to partner with tertiary institutions in training of its staff in ICT, and telecommunications, e-learning, system design, project management, networking and cyber security.
A participant and the Deputy Rector Academic, Dr. Nkiru Akabuike who represented Rector at the closing ceremony appreciated the NCC and DBI for bringing the training to the Polytechnic, promising that the knowledge and skills gathered during the training will be put into proper use.
She specifically commended the Rector, Dr. Chioma Awuzie for always going out to attract good things for staff and students of the institution, calling on the entire staff to support and cooperate with her for more good things for the institution.
Other participants, Dr. Ijeoma Okechukwu, Mr. Love Iruoma and Mrs Dike Jennifer Nkiru further poured encomium on the Rector and the instructors for their humility in impacting knowledge on the staff while calling for continuous capacity building programmes for other staff of the institution.
The ICT Director of the institution, Dr. Amobi Chiamogu assured participants that their training manuals and certificates will be made available as soon as they are ready.
