Education
364 blind candidates to write 2023 UTME
364 blind candidates to write 2023 UTME
A total of 364 blind candidates are to sit for the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 11 centres across the country.
The Chairman, JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG) Prof. Peter Okebukola, said this while providing the highlights of the 2023 examination on Thursday in Abuja.
Okebukola commended the JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, for the special arrangement for this category of Nigerians.
According to him, the goal of the Oloyede-led JAMB is to ensure that no Nigerian who is eligible, is prevented from taking the UTME regardless of disability.
He said that from 2017, JEOG had processed about 2,600 candidates for the UTME with over a third admitted to courses of their choice in higher education institutions in Nigeria, mainly universities.
He added that the initiative had been cited in the last four years in several countries, as a good model for Africa.
”The mode of examination administration is blended- use of Personal Computers (PCs) and use of the traditional Braille slate and stylus/typewriters in writing answers to questions that are read out by a subject expert.
”The blind candidates take the same test items as those who are not blind,” he said.
Okebukola who is also the Chairman, Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria NOUN revealed that JAMB had approved that from 2024, there would be a gradual migration to the full CBT mode customised for blind candidates.
He said that a pilot run was to be conducted later in the year to test this mode while also giving options to candidates who chose for fully Braille, fully CBT and full read-aloud modes.
“There are exciting times ahead for blind candidates and others with disabilities in realisation of the dream of Professor Is-had Oloyede for equal opportunity.
“So far, a good number of blind candidates processed through JEOG have secured admission to federal, state and private universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
“In 2019, of the 390 candidates, a total of 175 (44.8 per cent) were given admission. This was unprecedented in the history of admission of such category of students into the Nigerian higher education system.
“In 2020, 89 of the 351 blind candidates (25 per cent) that sat for the UTME got admissions.
”In 2021, a total of 110 blind candidates were given admission, out of the 332 that sat for the UTME.
”This 33 per cent admission of blind candidates to higher education in an annual cohort is unprecedented in the African higher education system,” he said.
He added that in 2022, 139 candidates out of the 364 candidates that took the UTME (38 per cent) were admitted to the higher institution of their choice.
He said five of the blind candidates scored above 270 in the 2022 UTME, while 92 scored above 200.
”When compared proportionally with the non-blind candidates, the blind candidates are doing as well, if not better than the visually unimpaired candidates.
“The 2023 exercise is taking place in 11 centres nationwide. This is in the interest of bringing the venue of the examination closer to the candidates, especially with the security situation in the country.
“The centres are coordinated by seasoned academics and university administrators. The total number of candidates is 364,” he said.
Okebukola added that JEOG was already implementing a strategic plan of gradually increasing the ICT component of administration of the UTME to match improvement in ICT usage for the education of the blind in the tertiary institutions.
The examination, being conducted by the board for the visually impaired candidates would hold from April 27 to 29, under the supervision of the JAMB Equal Opportunity Group (JEOG).
Education
Education Remains Our Major Priority – Gov Buni
Education Remains Our Major Priority – Gov Buni
By: Mamman Mohammed
Yobe state Governor Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has assured that education would continue to occupy a prominent position on the priority list of his administration for a prosperous future for the state.
He stated this today at a reception organized in honor of 171 Yobe state
Students who recently graduated from various universities in India.
“You may recall that, this administration sponsored a total number of 233 Yobe State indigenes to study medical sciences, engineering and other allied science courses, which are driven by our needs in the multifaceted post-insurgency recovery programme of our administration” he said.
“As we celebrate the completion of studies of the 171 graduates at this reception, 62 others are still pursuing their studies in line with the duration and other requirements of their courses. I am optimistic that they will also complete their studies successfully and with flying colours to do the state proud.
“We have deliberately sponsored a good number of the students to study Medical Sciences to meet our desire of building a robust healthcare system that is effective to meet the challenges of the sector. This would contribute to the speedy recovery, growth and development of our dear state.
“I am optimistic that these young graduates would provide the needed manpower with the requisite skills in our health facilities especially, our efforts in providing one functional Primary Health Care Centre in each of the 178 electoral wards of the State. Your commitment to serving the people in all nooks and crannies of the State would further justify government’s investment in you” he added.
“As part of our mission for a greater Yobe State, the sponsorship of these graduates was not restricted to Medical Sciences, some of them studied Civil Engineering, Computer Technology, Agriculture, Information Technology, Petroleum Engineering and Law, among others” the Governor said.
“l wish to state with a deep sense of appreciation and pride that I have received positive reports of your character, discipline, hard work and exceptional academic performances throughout your stay in India. You have indeed done Yobe state and Nigeria proud” he eulogized the graduates.
According to the Governor, government offered scholarships and bursaries to over 38,000 Yobe State students in various universities, colleges and polytechnics across Nigeria to pursue their first degrees, Masters and Doctorate degrees.
“We have also granted over 400 international scholarships to students in Egypt, the United Kingdom, China, the United States, Jordan, Turkey, Malaysia, Russia, and other Countries. We have also sustained our commitment to sponsor other mandatory courses including law graduates attending the Nigeria Law School, ICAN, and ANAN professional certificates for accountants.
Others include ASCON at Badagry, French and Arabic graduates at the Arabic village, as well as, monthly stipend paid to students studying medicine, Nursing, Community Midwifery and Nursing, at the Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery” he added.
“This government is convinced that our collective efforts would effectively and efficiently address the various challenges of the state especially in communities where your expertise is most needed” he emphasized.
Education Remains Our Major Priority – Gov Buni
Education
20 Nigerians to Study on Scholarship at German Prestigious Institution
20 Nigerians to Study on Scholarship at German Prestigious Institution
By: Michael Mike
Twenty Nigerian Students have been offered Scholarships to study at the prestigious European School of Management and Technology (ESMT), Berlin, Germany.
This followed the acceptance by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar’s acceptance on August 28, 2024, a special scholarship for twenty Nigerian students to study at German institution.
The scholarship programme was announced at a special dinner organized in his honour by Lars Windhorst, a German entrepreneur and co-founder of Sapinda Group and owner of the fashion company, La Perla, in Berlin, Germany.
The event which was held at the exclusive China Club in Berlin was attended by leaders from the private and public sectors including the President of ESMT Berlin, Jörg Rocholl.
Accepting the scholarship, Tuggar thanked Lars Windhorst for his kind gesture and said that the scholarship would create an opportunity for shared learning and experiences for the beneficiaries. He extolled ESMT’s reputation as one of the best business schools in Germany and Europe.
The Minister also invited the dignitaries to come and invest in Nigeria highlighting the remarkable strides being taken by President Bola Tinubu to reposition Nigeria and create an economic haven for foreign investors.
He noted that Nigeria holds enormous investment opportunities and cited the microeconomic reforms the Tinubu administration has embarked upon, particularly the removal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and the unification of the exchange rate to boost the economy.
The Minister promised that qualified Nigerian students will benefit from the scholarship opportunity which he said would contribute significantly to the development of the knowledge and skills of the beneficiaries needed for Nigeria’s development drive.
Tuggar also emphasised the need for the Global North to invest in infrastructural development in Africa and not dwell on geopolitical considerations.
The ESMT Berlin, a non-profit private institution of higher education, was founded in 2002 by 25 leading global companies. The school offers a variety of programmes including Masters, MBA, and PhD programmes, as well as executive education. and
These programmes are available across its campuses in Berlin, and various locations around the world. It also has an online blended format. ESMT is accredited by AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, and FIBAA, and is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion across all its activities and communities.
The institution focuses on leadership, innovation, and analytics is reflected in the outstanding research published by its diverse faculty in top academic journals.
20 Nigerians to Study on Scholarship at German Prestigious Institution
Education
Yobe State University: Prof. Seeks collaboration with Almajiri commission to fight illiteracy
Yobe State University: Prof. Seeks collaboration with Almajiri commission to fight illiteracy
By: Yahaya Wakili
Professor Mala Daura, Vice Chancellor of Yobe State University, has said that the center for research and Qur’anic studies of the university would collaborate with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children’s Education to address issues around illiteracy, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship, as well as prevention of youth poverty, delinquency, and destitution in the Northeast and Yobe State in particular.
The Vice Chancellor started this when the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education, Dr. Mohammad Sani Idris, paid him a courtesy call at the council chambers of the university.
Professor Daura, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor central administration, Dr. Bukar Jamri, said the university is grateful that the commission found it worthy of a collaboration that would lead to the accomplishment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Education for Renewed Hope agenda.
He revealed that the collaboration with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children will help in the integration of Quranic and Tsangaya education.
“The university has other specialized centers that can strategically partner with the commission. They include the Center for Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development and the Center for Research and Capacity Development on Humanitarian Studies,” he said.
Professor Daura further announced the appointment of the Executive Secretary as a member of the Advisory Council of the Center for Research in Qur’anic Studies as well as honored him with the award of servant of Qur’anic education in Northeast Nigeria.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children, Dr. Mohammad Sani Idris, said they were at the university to collaborate and to share the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima on education for a renewed hope agenda.
He revealed that the commission is passionate about revitalizing Tsangaya education in the North, so they chose the center for research in Qur’anic studies of Yobe State University for collaboration.
The Executive Secretary also disclosed that the commission has chosen Yobe State University as one of the centers in Nigeria that will draw a roadmap for the 36 states in the federation in conjunction with the office of the National Security Adviser.
On the entourage of the Executive Secretary were the Chairman of the of the House Committee on Alternative Education, Arc Ibrahim Mustapha, and the former Minister of State for Education, Dr. Aisha Jibril Dukku, among others.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (Acedemic Service), Dr. Mohammed Musa Lawan; the University Registrar, Dr. Kalli Yusuf Alkali Gazali; and the Director of the Center for Research in Qur’anic Studies, Dr. Adam Mohammed Mustapha.
Yobe State University: Prof. Seeks collaboration with Almajiri commission to fight illiteracy
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