Prof. Uwadia who spoke at the first in the series of NCS Collaborative Seminar held at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) centre, Onikan-Lagos, noted that the programme was borne out of the desire to ensure the development of an enduring and a sustainable human capacity base in Information Technology for Nigeria.
This, he said, has become imperative in view of the huge demand for IT professionals both in the public and private sectors of the nation’s economy, and indeed the global economy.
“We’re all witnesses to the increasing pivotal role being played by IT as an enabler and driver of social, economic and political processes. This role is likely to assume a wider dimension with the rapid growth of the Nigerian economy,” he projected.
As said by him, available statistics revealed a yawning gap between IT skills required by the economy and what is produced by the existing institutions both in quantum and quality.
As responsible leaders of the IT profession in the country, it behoves on NCS membership and leadership precisely to ensure that this gap is consciously and systematically bridged.
“Already, a structure for IT education in Nigeria has emerged starting from kindergarten up to the tertiary level,” he disclosed, adding that IT education curricula now exist for the following levels: kindergarten, primary, junior secondary, vocation enterprise institutions (VEI), senior secondary, innovative enterprise institutions (IEI), College of Education, Polytechnic & University.
He explained that at the professional level, curricula also exist for Computer Professional Examinations of CPN at various cadres as well as certification examinations by various bodies.
What is left now is to make this concept known to children of school age, stressing that these opportunities when unveiled to children, students, youths, and other persons who desire to make a profession of IT, now or in future, and also letting them know the challenges ahead.
“It is in the light of this that this programme is being organized to stimulate the interest of our young ones in the Information Technology profession and get them adequately prepared to make a successful career out of it,” Uwadia said.
He also commended the London Metropolitan University for partnering with NCS to pioneer this programme.
“We hope to extend the programme to cover other parts of the country in order to derive more benefits and mileage from it,” Prof. Uwadia assured.
Other facilitators at the seminar have been selected globally to include associate professor, Computer Science from London Metropolitan University, Dr. Farhi Marir, Managing Director, Jidaw, Mr. Jide Awe, as well as the managing director, Rippcon Nigeria Limited, Mr. Alfred Boye.
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