By Fatima Mohammed-Lawal
Ilorin – Prof. Comfort Ekpo, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, says access to uninterrupted internet facility is imperative to ensure quality education in Nigeria.
Ekpo spoke on Thursday at the University of Ilorin while presenting a keynote address at the International Conference of the Association for Innovative Technology Integration in Education (AITIE).
She said that it would be impossible to guarantee a high-quality education for Nigerian youths if they remained disconnected from the rest of the world.
In her paper entitled, “That All May Integrate Technology for Learning,’’ Ekpo said scholars are conscious of what they lose by not being connected with the rest of the world.
She said that once internet access was in place, the creation of digital local content would stimulate rapid use of technology.
Ekpo suggested that every teacher should be encouraged to use much of the available software in their daily class instructions.
“For instance, Microsoft Word, Excel, CorelDraw and PowerPoint programmes should be integrated into appropriate teaching and learning events,’’ she said.
In his opening address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, commended AITIE on the aptness of convening its conference in the institution.
Ambali said participants at the conference of the body pioneered the use of technology through the Computer-Based Test in examining large classes in Nigeria.
He said this had now become an integral part of higher education service delivery in the country.
According to him, the university’s commitment to education and scholarship at all times without break had earned it a vantage position in Nigeria.
“ It is the most subscribed university in the county in the past four years,’’ Ambali said.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the President of AITIE, Prof. Ibrahim Salawu, said the association was a professional forum for academics, non-academics, media specialists and other stakeholders.
Salawu added that the conference was specially organised to sharpen and improve media specialists’ skills in the promotion and development of positive attitude toward technology integration for innovative teaching.
Also speaking, Prof. Noah Oyedeji, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, said that AITIE had set a good example by taking the lead in promoting transformation and excellence in the education sector.