The fifth in the series of the inaugural lecture of Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State was held on Wednesday August 12, 2015 at the Polytechnic new Auditorium with the inaugural lecture titled “Information Technology: Antidote to Cancerous Ailments in Nigeria Education”
The inaugural lecture which was delivered by Dr. Emadomi Moses Igbape, Chief Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science, School of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) of the Polytechnic was chaired by the Rector of the Polytechnic, Dr. (Mrs.) Philipa Omamhe Idogho.
In a comprehensive analysis backed with copious examples, Dr. Igbape gave the concept of Information Technology (IT) and Information System (IS); Issues in Nigeria Education System; Quality Assurance in Education and The Antidote; Information Technology.
While proffering solution on how Information Technology can be deplored to address the inadequacies in educational planning Dr. Igbape among others, stressed the need for accurate and statistical data in schools and supervisory agencies, state or federal with the use of IT that are technically and financially feasible to capture these data within a given geographical domain with just a click,
The Lecturer who defined literacy in contemporary times as “ability to read, write and use IT tools” decried the mode of accreditation exercises in schools stressing that institutions do a lot to improve on standards when they are expecting accreditation visits even though these visits he noted, may not have impacted on the graduates already in the markets.
As part of measures to address the shortcomings in quality assurance, he stressed the need for government regulatory agencies to deploy the integrated academic IS online and every institution sign up for use as this will enable all information on institutions, their programmes and resources as well as enrolment become visible to the government and supervisory agencies.
Dr. Igbape in his concluding remarks, enjoined Government to put in place appriopriate legislations for proper integration of IT tools in the management of the Nigerian education sector backed with proper funding of IT – related research projects and sponsorship for production while also enjoining Government to remove import duties on IT appliances and computers to make them affordable to help all with a view to raising IT literacy level in Nigeria.
The ceremony was witnessed by academic and non academic staff and students of the polytechnic, traditional rulers, Prof. E.A. Onibere, former Deputy VC, UNIBEN; Prof. Francis Osagiede, Dean of Student Affairs, UNIBEN; Engr. Okhumeode among others.