The Vice Chancellor, Distinguished Professor E. Uche Ikonne has commended the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, for the ongoing skill gap assessment research in selected Universities, as part of its efforts to narrow the gap between certificates obtained from the Universities and the accompanying skills in the different fields.
Professor Ikonne who made the commendation when a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Education paid him a courtesy visit, to intimate him on this initiative of the Federal Government, explained that the current structure of the educational system in the country which promotes certificates above practical experience is the reason for this gap, and called on Federal Government to reinvent the era, where there was a formidable correlation between the Industry and academics.
He maintained that the ongoing assessment must be factual, honest, and holistic, so as to provide the relevant information needed, and advised the Deans, and Heads of Department involved, to answer the questions administered correctly, without coloration, and prayed that the data gathered from the exercise will help make proper recommendations to the Government.
The Vice Chancellor, used the forum to inform his audience that Abia state University is currently ranked 17th, among other Nigerian Universities, in the employ-ability of its graduates, which he says, is an indication of the emphasis the institution place in the training of its students with necessary practical skills that will make them marketable all over the world.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Dr (Mrs.) Ike Eunice, an alumnus of the Abia state University, while congratulating the Vice Chancellor for the positive transformation of the University, said the purpose of the visit was to gather information from major stakeholders in different academic institutions, which will help Government formulate policies and programs that will ensure Nigerian graduates of various disciplines to be able to defend their certificates anywhere in the world and to equip them with requisite practical experiences in various fields.
According to her, the theme of the exercise is” Skill Gap Assessment”, and will discover through research, why this gap exist, and what solutions could be proffered, pointing out that Abia State University was selected as one of the centers because of the giant strides it has recorded in research, academic and Infrastructural development.
She said the Faculties of Engineering and Environmental sciences will be the focus for a start, and commended the Vice Chancellor for the caliber of academics in these Faculties that was selected for the exercise.
In a vote of thanks, the Dean, Faculty of Environmental sciences, Professor G. N Chima thanked the team for the choice of Abia state University, and promised the cooperation of staff of the selected faculties as they carry out their assignment.
The meeting had the full complement of members of the University Management in attendance.
