(http://peoplesdailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Prof.-Victor-Mbarika.jpg) (http://peoplesdailyng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Prof.-Victor-Mbarika.jpg)From Ado Abubakar Musa, Jos
The President, ICT University Louisiana, United States of America, Prof. Victor Mbarika,has outlined plans by the institution to digitise state-owned tertiary institutions in Plateau with a view to making the state compliant to information and communication technology.
Mbarika said, yesterday in Jos that the project, when completed, would make Plateau a beacon of light to lead other states in ICT domain.
"Last month, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with the Plateau State Government on ICT development in the state.
"The MoU covers equipping the multimedia centres and e-learning laboratories in all the state's tertiary institutions.
"The agreement will also see the university providing e-conferencing facilities at the government house and the state secretariat as well as introducing a computer ownership scheme for the state civil servants.
"Other areas covered by the MoU, include the introduction of affordable online ICT courses, facilitation of lecturers and student exchange programme and visas for students who obtained oversea scholarship among others," he said.
Mbarika said he had visited most of the state's tertiary institutions and expressed satisfaction with the level of administration and infrastructural development
in the schools.
He said the university's main goal was to digitize the schools with multimedia centres and e-learning laboratories to bring them at the cutting age of technology.
"I had the privilege as the president of the ICT University to visits quite a number of campuses in the state. They have very wonderful programmes going on, very dedicated lecturers; all we want to do is to give a boost to the great things that are already happening in the state.
"We had the privilege to visit the State University, the Education College, the Health Technology College, and the Polytechnic Barkin-Ladi. They have very impressive administration and infrastructure going on.
"All we want to do is to digitize the university and colleges to bring them at the cutting age of technology especially in the areas of multi-media centres and e-learning laboratories, so that their entire course will be put on line.
"We will be looking at the power issue, the bandwidth issues for internet connectivity. We have done this in different part of Africa and it has work
successfully.
"I truly believe that plateau state would become a beacon
of light when it comes to leadership in ICT domain."
Mbarika said he was surprised to discover that some institutions in the state did not have a computer laboratory, adding: "I was very touched to see an entire college without a computer lab.
"I tell you, that was one of the highlights of my visit
here and we are committed to working on this as fast as we can and get things
moving.
"It is not like we are bringing something to Plateau; we
are rather partnering in order to make the state literally IT-compliant.
"On the MoU as well as the corporate service agreement, the ICT university
would provide multimedia centres for each of the institutions.
"Of cause the Plateau state government has their own financial obligation in
terms of the other things stated in the MoU at the level of the government
house, at the level of the civil servants at the level of the computer
ownership scheme, which eventually will make all civil servants own a laptop."
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