The future is Technology
AfDB-CfE Virtual Batch 1 Graduates of Gombe State University Centre Beneficiaries Feedback Interview
Dr. Bala Modi, Director for ICT, Gombe State University.
GSU AfDB-Microsoft Virtual Graduates of Coding4Employment Training held on the 05th August 2020.
AfDB-MIT Intermediate Skill Acquisition Training in Nov 2020
Female Student at the Wordpress Web Dev Cohort 3 Class
AfDB-MIT Intermediate Skill Acquisition Training in Nov 2020
Cross Section of Beneficiaries of the Web Dev Cohor 3 Class
AfDB-MIT Intermediate Skill Acquisition Training in Nov 2020
Practical Wordpress Web Dev Cohort 3 Class
BRIEF MANDATE OF THE DIRECTORATE
The University unveiled a brand new vision and mission in the year 2015 for a robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) strategic plan spanning over a minimum period of 10 years targeting 2029. The plan is to further express the ambition and aspirations of the University towards fostering a sustainable and vibrant ICT infrastructural development into the future. There is a growing need to expand the scope of ICT beyond a dream to a reality. To this extend, a vibrant ICT Directorate was established in May, 2015 to pilot the affairs of the Directorate towards realizing the desired strategic ICT plan and vision of the University. Currently, the University has constructed a befitting African ICT Center of Excellence that houses the ICT Directorate with the Special Intervention Project (SIP 2013) by the TetFund, Nigeria.
A BRIEF ON THE MAJOR ACTIVITIES SINCE INCEPTION
- Since 2015, more than 600 staffs of the University have been trained so far on digital literacy and basic computer appreciation by NCC in collaboration with Digital Bridge Institute (DBI). Also, Microsoft Cooperation trained 20 volunteers in July, 2018 in preparation for the Coding for Employment (CfE) programme, which is being sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The AfDB through the African ICT Center of Excellence had since launched the training program in March, 2019 with the physical face-2-face Batch 1 & 2 trainees in participation, and was successfully concluded in July, 2019 with about 270 grandaunts. The Batch 3-10 trainees were about to start the next round of training but was suspended and temporarily replaced with a Virtual training alternative recently conducted and concluded in August, 2020 with 240 graduants. The alternative online training was necessitated due to the COVID-19 and Lockdown directive by the Federal Government.
- A Training/Seminar was earlier conducted for more than 40 staffs in June, 2018 by the International Business Machine (IBM) on IBM Digital_Nation Africa (D_NA) initiative, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed with the University in that regard.
- We also have an elaborate community service and partnership with several Federal and State Institutions such as NITDA trainings of 150 Northeast Women in ICT and 200 Northeast Youths on Software Development in the years 2017 and 2019 respectively. The partners have in one way or the other benefited from our robust ICT infrastructure and services since the year 2015.
- The ICT status of the University has continued to grow in leaps and bounds, making the University a world-wide giant in ICT development and deployment. Several CBT examinations have so far been coordinated and held for FG MDAs such as: JAMB/UTME, EFCC, NPF, DSS, ABU Distance learning Centre etc. from 2016-date. Non-profit ICT leading organizations such as: Google Skills training, Facebook Developer Circles have conducted trainings for more than 250 students in total from 2018-2019.
- ICDL Basic, Intermediate and Advance Training for Selected Staffs of GSU (230 Combined Participants), held from 03rd – 08th May, 2021.
- Huawei Academy Briefing and Meeting by the National Channel Manager (110 Participants), held on the 28th June 2021
- Huawei Academy Training on DataComm (64 Registered Students and ongoing) ongoing from 31st August – 31st October, 2021
- The Role of Teaching and Learning Methodologies in Improving the Quality of Remedial Studies in Gombe State University (80 Participants) held from 6th – 9th September, 2021
MAJOR UNITS IN THE DIRECTORATE
The ICT African Center of Excellence boasts of about 5 main units namely: Programming/Software Development Unit, Network Engineering Unit, Hardware Engineering Unit, System/Database Unit and Workshop and Training Unit.
MANPOWER /PERSONNEL IN THE DIRECTORATE
The Directorate is headed by the Director, who is closely assisted by the heads of the 5 units mentioned above. There are a total of 10 staff in the Directorate. 2 staff are in the Workshop/Training unit, 6 staff are in the Programming/Software Development Unit and 2 staff are in the Engineering Unit.
STAFF TRAINING SKILLS
- 5 Staff: Have basic training in Java Script, PHP, etc.
- 3 Staff: Have basic training in DBMS, and Web Administration.
- 2 Staff: Have basic/Advanced skills in Hardware Maintenance and Network/System Administration
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
- 5 Staff: Need to be trained as Network Engineers.
- 3 Staff: Need to be trained as Web/Software Developers/Engineers.
- 2 Staff: Need to be trained as Network/System Security Experts.
SUMMARY OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DIRECTORATE FROM INCEPTION TO DATE
| Training Program | Date |
|---|---|
| Seminar on IBM Digital Nation Africa (D_NA). Presented by Moyona Adeoti (University Relation leader IBM West Africa). (40 staff participated including the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. I.M Umar, OON in attendance). | Thursday 21st - June 2018 |
| Training on Virtual Library Management and Administration. (14 staff participated from ICT and the University library). | Thursday 28th - June 2018 |
| Microsoft CFE (AfDB) Training (20 Staff both academic and non-teaching staff). | Tuesday 31st July - 4th August 2018 |
| Training on Online Compiler for Management Staff. (18 Staff participated) | Monday 13th August 2018 |
| Training on Online Compiler for Registration Officers GSU (53 Staff participated). | Tuesday 14th August 2018 |
| Training on Asset Management Procurement And Inventory for MDAs outside Abuja organized by the office of the Accountant General of the federation through “Government Integrated Finance Management Information System (GIFMIS). (460 participants from the North East). | 25th September 2018 - 5th October 2018 |
| AfDB CfE Volunteer Meeting (3rd ) chaired by the then Vice Chancellor, Prof. I.M Umar, OON | Friday 12th October 2018 |
| AfDB CfE Volunteers Meeting (4th ) Chaired by Dr Bala Modi | Wednesday 5th December 2018 |
| Training on AfDB-Microsoft Hour of Code (HoC) (556 participants from outside community). | 11th December - 14th December 2018 |
| Provision of Tools for Women (workshop) in North East Organized and delivered by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). | 14th -18th January 2019 |
| Workshop on MOOC organized by Academic Planning Directorate GSU for Academic Staff. (100 participants). | February 25th - 26th 2019 |
| AfDB First Batch of Training for the Youths (120 participants). | 11th March 2019 - 5th April 2019 |
| AfDB Second Batch of Training for the Youths (150 participants). | 17th June 2019 -10th July 2019 |
| Google Digital Partnership Tour | 10th - 12th July, 2019 |
| Training on Asset Management Procurement And Inventory for MDAs outside Abuja organized by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation through “Government Integrated Finance Management Information System. (300 participants from the North East). | 16th - 20th August, 2019. |
| Facebook Seminar organized by Briatek Computers Nigeria LTD for GSU students. (145 participants). | 7th September 2019 |
| Sanstonz-Google Digital Workshop organized by Google Reps for Student GSU (113 participants). | 21st September 2019 |
| ADAPTI Workshop organized by DBI-NCC for GSU Staff (110 participants). | 16th - 20th September 2019 |
| Youth-Mappers Workshop organized for the Staffs and Students of the Geography Department of Gombe State University (150 Participants) | 28th -29th February, 2020 |
| Training for Online Compiler update for Exams Officers, Registration Officers and SIWES coordinators, organized by ICT Directorate (25 participants) | Tuesday 14th January 2020 |
| English Language Forum outreach by the U.S Embassy attended by the English Language Department Lecturers of Gombe State University (11 participants) | Tuesday 28th January 2020 |
| ICT Staff Training on GSU Website and Compiler Migration Process (9 participants) | 27th July, 2020 - 07th August, 2020 |
| Virtual Closing Ceremony and presentation of certificates to the participants of the 1st batch of the Gombe State University Beneficiaries on Coding for Employment (CfE) by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and partners (240 participants) | Wednesday 05th August, 2020 |
| The 2nd batch of the Gombe State University Beneficiaries on Coding for Employment (CfE) by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and partners (100+ participants) | Sept-Oct, 2020 |
| TetFund-Sponsored Website and Online Compiler Training for ICT Staffs (138 Staffs). | 14th – 18th January 2021 |
| NITDA (NAVSA) Training (150 Beneficiaries). | 16th – 22nd March, 2021 |
| NIGCOMSAT VSAT Installation Training (50 Beneficiaries). | 22nd – 26th March, 2021. |
| ADAPTI’20 Workshop organized by DBI-NCC for GSU Staff (110 participants). | 26th – 30th April 2021 |
| ICDL Basic, Intermediate and Advance Training for Selected Staffs of GSU (230 Combined Participants). | 03rd – 08th May, 2021 |
| Huawei Academy Briefing and Meeting by the National Channel Manager (110 Participants). | 28th June 2021 |
| Huawei Academy Training on DataComm (64 Registered Students and ongoing). | 31st August – 31st October, 2021 |
| The Role of Teaching and Learning Methodologies in Improving the Quality of Remedial Studies in Gombe State University (80 Participants) | 6th – 9th September, 2021 |