Skyline University Nigeria

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Train the trainer; SUN conducts Seminar on Stress Management and Transformational Leadership

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has concluded the Train the Trainer executive seminar for Directors, Deputy Directors and Senior Administrators from the Ministry of Education in Kano State. The two-day session which ran from runs from the 26th to the 27th of July 2023 is part of the numerous Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities done by the institution. In his remarks, the Vice–Chancellor of the university Prof. Ajith Kumar V. V. said the topics selected were deliberately curated to support the work of the administrators in discharging their duties. He expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the participants through interactive engagements and careful reviews. He assured them of the university’s unwavering support and readiness to help them enhance their productivity. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Kano State, Hajia Kubra Imam who attended the event appreciated the Directors, Deputy Directors and Senior Administrators for attending the life-long impactful workshop. She said the training will help the executives in giving education a new dimension in the state. The second day of the seminar uncovered the essentials of stress management and transformational leadership. The Dean School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS) Dr. Isa Usman engaged the participants on an exciting journey of Stress, its causes and coping mechanisms. He said stress is inevitable but manageable. He highlighted several stressors from personal experiences while interacting with the attendees. He then urged the participants to prioritize their mental health. Dr. Sudha Mavuri, the Dean of the School of Arts, Management and Social Sciences (SAMSS) disclosed the need for a transformational leadership style for the participants. She said leaders and followers are bound together in a transformation process. She added that transformational leaders enable leaders to model the ways, challenge processes and inspire a shared vision. The first day of the workshop exposed the participants to the relevance of learning and applying Digital Skills in their everyday executive activities. The tutors from the School of Sciences and Information Technology (SSIT) informed the attendees about the significance of acquiring IT skills which are necessary to support and improve the efficiency of their work. They added that the skills will also reduce the stress they experience while delivering their tasks. In her closing remarks, the Director of Academic Support Services (DASS) Ms. Sarada Maganti conveyed her joy over the successful completion of the session. She said the university will continue to contribute to the betterment of education in Kano. You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria  

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Train the Trainer; SUN conducts Executive Empowerment Seminar on Digital Skills

Skyline University Nigeria has conducted the first day of executive empowerment seminar for Directors, Deputy Directors and Senior Administrators from Ministry of Education, Kano State on Digital Skills. The workshop which runs from the 26th to the 27th of July 2023, is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the university. In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of SUN Prof. Ajith Kumar V. V. said that it was a pleasure having the executive participants on the campus as he welcomed them. He encouraged them about the necessity of learning digital skills due to their strategic positions in the Ministry. He acknowledged that the executives have a huge role to play in educating their peers and co-workers. The Vice-Chancellor admitted that educating them will help the various educational sectors in Nigeria to catch up with global technology and innovation trends. He then thanked the participants for all the support they have extended and informed them about the Skyline University School of Post-Graduate Studies. Ms. Sarada Maganti, the Director of Academic Support Services (DASS) in her speech thanked the executive participants for sparing time to attend this important workshop. She said the event was crucial as the world is developing rapidly in digital skills. The SUN management and Ministry participants were overwhelmed with the surprise visit of the Honorable Commissioner – Ministry of Education Comrade Umar Haruna Doguwa. Giving an impromptu speech  during the workshop, the honorable Commissioner said that he is very delighted to witness the interactive session for the Directors, Deputy Directors and Senior Administrators. He believes that the training would enhance the performance of the participants at work and in their various communities. In the first part of the presentation, the Dean of the School of Sciences and Information Technology (SSIT), Dr. A. Senthil Kumar explained that societies have to understand the relevance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and Robotics. He gave instances of how AI has simplified the work in industries and executive workplaces – Chatbots, Quillbot, and ChatGPT. And, he emphasized the incorporation of modern technology into office activities. Dr. Ashok Kumar, a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science here  at Skyline University Nigeria while leading the second part of the workshop highlighted the significance of virtual conference tools such as Zoom, Google Meet and Microsoft Teams. He said the executives can succeed massively with the use of virtual meeting applications. Representing the participants Hajiya Suwaiba Sadeh, the Director of Quality Assurance at the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) said she learnt a lot from the session and is eagerly looking forward to the second day of the event. You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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SUN faculty facilitates Staff Development Programme on Followership

The Head of the Department of Political Science at Skyline University Nigeria has conducted a Staff Development Programme (SDP) training session for the operational staff of the university. The training is part of the university’s goal-setting initiative for academic staff. Mr. Farid Illo, the HOD of Political Science Department and the facilitator said the session was to unveil the importance of followership in building effective leadership within an institution. He said oftentimes, “Employees focus on understanding the leadership structure obtainable in an organization without assessing their followership roles as key elements in the overall leadership”. Presenting his paper titled ‘“Followership; The Other Side of Leadership in 21st Century”, Mr. Illo stated that it is impossible to lead without followers. He acknowledged that there is indeed a paucity of literature and a lack of interest in studying followership when compared to leadership which has enormous resources according to research. This is particularly because of the quest for leadership. Mr. Illo highlighted that 5 categories of followers are found within an institution or organization. Every employee could fall under a single category. The categories which he culled from the work of Barbara Kellerman are Isolates, Bystanders, Participants, Activists and Diehards. He said the level of participation within an organization is the major determinant that defines the category of an individual. From the Isolates to the Diehards the level of participation increases. All other categories within the two major ones determine the level of an employee’s involvement or detachment from institutional leadership activities. He said one has to find a middle ground between the two extremes in order to support organizational goals and objectives. According to one of the participants. Ms. Hafsat Usman, the events coordinator at SUN, the session was practical and impactful. She said the facilitator has addressed a crucial issue that is quite neglected in building successful leadership structures within institutions. In closing, the facilitator said he is absolutely impressed with the participation of the staff and is hopeful they would put to effective use what they have learnt.   You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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Management of SUN receives Media Trust Group delegation on a Courtesy Visit

The Vice-Chancellor and management of Skyline Univerisity Nigeria (SUN) have received a Media Trust Group delegation on a courtesy visit. The team visited the university to see areas of collaboration and commend the management of its continuous patronage. In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of SUN Prof. Ajith Kumar V. V. appreciated the delegation for their continuous support towards the institution. He said Daily Trust Newspaper was among the national dailies that he preferred since he came to Kano 3 years ago. The Vice-Chancellor also applauded the Media Trust Group – Daily Trust, Aminiya, Trust TV, Trust Radio and Trust Digital for supporting the Mass Communication Department at SUN with highly resourceful industry professionals. He said the professionals have been instrumental in providing students with first-hand experiences during the Guest Lecture Series that the university organizes for them. Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, the Group CEO of Media Trust Group said the purpose of their visit was to strengthen the company’s ties with SUN and explore more areas of collaboration. He added that the company has so many initiatives that can support SUN to achieve its desired objectives. He highlighted that Media Group can ably unveil creative students on their Teen Trust and Daily Trust. He lauded the institution’s efforts in supporting students with activities on financial inclusion which will enable youths to be familiar with business opportunities before graduation. Mr. Gwarzo expressed his satisfaction with the academic environment at SUN which he said was comfortable for learning and distinguishing academic journey. He said the Media Trust Group is willing to support students with industry experience to motivate them whenever they are needed. The Vice-Chancellor thanked the team for the visit and promised to efficiently utilize the opportunities suggested by the team. You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria  

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What diphtheria is and why we need to pay attention?

Introduction Diphtheria is a highly contagious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae, which produces a toxin that destroys healthy tissue within the upper airways causing a membrane to grow across the windpipe. It can also affect the skin causing blisters and ulcers. The disease spreads easily and happens quickly, and can affect all age groups, however unimmunized children, are particularly at risk. Moreover, adults over 60 years old, living in crowded or unclean conditions, and malnourishment are at risk for contracting the disease. In severe cases, the disease can lead to death due to damage to organs. Situation at a glance Although globally the incidence of diphtheria has reduced dramatically in the past five decades, recently, the Nigerian government confirmed the outbreak of diphtheria in 21 of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), so far 1439 suspected cases of diphtheria have been reported, of which 557 (39%) were confirmed. Among the confirmed cases, 73 deaths (case fatality ratio of 13%) have been recorded due to the outbreak. Rural areas of Borno state were reported to be the most affected parts of the country in 2011. Modes of Transmission Diphtheria bacteria can be spread from person to person, usually through inhalation of airborne droplets, like from coughing or sneezing, or by direct contact with infected patients by mucous secretions or skin ulcerations. Sign and symptoms Symptoms of diphtheria depend on the body part that is affected. However, the upper airways and the skin are commonly affected. When the bacteria infect the airways, it can cause sore throat, mild fever, swollen glands in the neck (bull neck), barking cough, wheezing, difficulty in breathing, tachycardia (racing heart), and weakness. The bacteria produce a toxin that destroys the healthy tissues lining airways and within two to three days, the dead tissue forms a thick, grey coating that can build up in the throat or nose, which can cover tissues in the nose, tonsils, voice box, and throat, resulting in breathing and swallowing difficulty. If the toxin gets into the bloodstream, it can cause heart, kidney, and nerve damage. When the bacteria infect the skin, it can cause open sores or ulcers. However, diphtheria skin infections rarely result in severe disease. Diagnosis Diagnosis of diphtheria is made based on presenting signs and symptoms as described above, and a laboratory test. A swab sample is taken from the throat or a sore and analyzed for traces of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in the laboratory. Treatment The treatment for diphtheria should begin immediately, sometimes even before the laboratory test results are confirmed. Diphtheria antitoxin is typically prescribed to stop damage to the organs. In addition, antibiotics, commonly penicillin or erythromycin, are prescribed to fight infection. Individuals with diphtheria are kept in isolation to prevent others from becoming infected. However, an infected person is no longer contagious around 48 hours after taking antibiotics. Surgery may be done to remove the grey membrane in the throat, if necessary. Diphtheria recovery necessitates adequate bed rest and if the heart is impacted, it is very essential to avoid any physical activity. In the short term, patients may need to supplement their nutrition with liquids and soft foods due to pain and difficulty swallowing. When treatment is completed, a test is repeated to ensure that the bacteria have been eliminated. Once the bacteria are gone, a vaccine is administered to prevent future infections . Complications Diphtheria can result in several long-term complications such as blockage of airways, myocarditis (damage to the heart muscle), polyneuropathy (nerve damage), lethargy (sluggishness), paralysis (being unable to move), and loss of lung function. Prevention Prevention of diphtheria usually involves the administration of several vaccines, which are designed to prevent not only diphtheria but also to protect against multiple infections at once, such as pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) – Diphtheria.  World Health Organization. Disease Outbreak News; Diphtheria – Nigeria. Dr. Aminu Alhassan Ibrahim is a lecturer I in the Department of Physiotherapy, School of Basic Medical Science (SBMS), Skyline University, Nigeria. He obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Orthopaedic and Sports Physiotherapy from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria, a Master of Physiotherapy (MPTh) in Orthopaedic Physiotherapy from SRM University, India, and a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) from Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. You can join the conversation on facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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SUN Staff visit Kurmawa Correctional Centre, train Inmates on Stress Management

The faculty staff of Skyline University Nigeria have visited Kurmawa Correctional Centre Kano Command as part of their community service Programme. Their visit was to conduct training for inmates on Stress Management and to provide support and valuable knowledge to help the inmates cope with the challenges of stress. The training was curated and delivered by Mr. Trimisiyu Lawal from the Department of Economics, Dr. Aminu Ibrahim from the Department of Physiotherapy, and Dr. Nasir Abdullahi  Department of Nursing to over 200 inmates. The SUN team was warmly welcomed by the Deputy Controller of Correctional, DCC Muazu Tukur. He gave an introductory briefing and lauded the management of SUN for supporting the Kurmawa Correctional Centre Kano Command through the wonderful initiative. Mr. Lawal commenced the session with a careful introduction to stress, its causes and possible ways to tackle it in English Language. He said managing stress is extremely important for the inmates especially due to their past realities. He also enumerated the necessity of equipping the inmates with practical techniques of stress management which they can implement, to cope with the challenges they face within the correctional facility. In his part, Dr. Abdullahi applauded the management of Kurmawa Correctional Centre Kano Command, for their keen anticipation and warm reception. As a professional psychiatric nurse, he said stress is associated with life-threatening ailments such as insomnia, depression and hypertension among others. He advised the inmates to be in total control of their emotions and take necessary steps such as simple exercises and interpersonal communication with fellows during his presentation in English Language. While presenting his part in Hausa Language, Dr. Ibrahim highlighted the importance of understanding the causes, symptoms, solutions and impact of stress particularly on the inmates. He stated that extreme cases of stress could lead to suicide if not managed effectively. He said he was absolutely fascinated by the level of understanding they expressed when he chose the Hausa Language to explain the concepts vividly. Dr. Ibrahim then thanked the management of the centre and DCC Tukur for easing the process of the training session. He said the team would convey the areas of collaboration highlighted by the management, particularly in ICT, Education and soft skills training. DCC Tukur sincerely appreciated the management of SUN for organizing the session for the inmates and is looking forward to future engagements.   You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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Skyline University Nigeria conducts Strategy Summit 2023

The management of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has recently conducted a Strategy Summit to enable staff to engage with one another and unveil areas of more collaboration, effective communication and team. The Summit, which was held at Bristol Palace Hotel in Kano State, was also organized to present activities that have happened during the last academic year by each department at the university. The Pro. Chancellor of SUN Mr. Nitin Anand who chaired the event, stated the importance of such gatherings as an avenue for the identification of a common goal, understanding and bonding for the institution’s staff. He highlighted that the congregation would definitely allow for the realization of the institution’s goals and objectives while charging the staff to be highly dedicated. In his presentation, the Vice-Chancellor of SUN Prof. Ajith Kumar V.V. said the university has achieved a great milestone during the academic year 2022/2023. Some of the notable milestones he highlighted included The NUC accreditation for additional courses, the marticulation ceremony, over 22 guest lecture series held for students, and some students of SUN emerging first and second runner-ups in the Tie MENA competition, among others. The Vice-Chancellor charged the staff to take responsibility and ownership of delivering tasks efficiently as well as be supportive of each other. He also charged the faculty to apply new methods of teaching so as to expose students to global standards of learning. The Director of Marketing (DOMC), Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Ismail who also presented during the strategy summit, said the past academic year has been quite eventful for the marketing department at SUN. He said the department anticipates more prosperous years ahead. The Director of Academic Support Services (DASS), Ms. Sarada Maganti while presenting her paper stated that loyalty and trust are two important elements that can strengthen collaboration in task delivery in the institution. She advised the staff to communicate effectively to ensure that services are rightly delivered to the students and stakeholders. Other key personalities that spoke during the event include the Dean of the School of Science and Information Technology (SSIT) Dr. A. Senthil Kumar, the Dean of the School of Social and Management Sciences (SAMSS) Dr. Sudha Mavuri, the Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences (SBMS) Dr. Isa Lawal, as well as representatives from Corporate Affairs and Centre for Continuing Learning (CCL). You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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Time Management in the Life of Academics

Time management is essential in the life of an academic. Because of the demanding nature of their work and the constant juggling of multiple duties, good time management becomes critical to ensuring productivity, balance, and personal well-being. According to Chansaengsee (2017), “We can prevent disappointment in life by practising time management. This letdown might come in the form of monetary, professional, social, or other types of disappointment. If we make time for proper planning, we can avoid all of these things at once. Everything in our existence is equally powerless.” Academics can maximize their performance while maintaining a healthy work-life balance by planning their time efficiently. Setting priorities is an important component of academic time management. They can build a clear roadmap for their work by identifying and categorizing tasks based on urgency and priority. Setting realistic goals and breaking them down into achievable chunks is part of this process. Academics can tackle the most important assignments with concentration and prevent unneeded stress by focusing on them first. Creating a set timetable also helps with time management. Setting out specified time slots for activities such as research, teaching, administrative chores, and personal commitments promotes order and discipline. Academics must set out time for focused work while minimizing distractions and disruptions. They can improve their productivity and avoid procrastination by sticking to a schedule. According to Chaudhari (2022), “We have to perform various activities in life. Some of them might be very important some of them might be less important. To perform all these activities time period is limited. If one performs any activity after the stipulated time it will be of no use. Hence for all of us, the work at the proper time is very crucial. Many times people often found complaining that they do not have time”.   Effective time management necessitates the ability to delegate and, when necessary, say no. Academics frequently face several pressures, such as collaborations, committee work, and social engagements. While it is critical to participate in these activities, it is also critical to evaluate their overall productivity. Academics can protect their time for crucial work and maintain a good work-life balance by learning to delegate responsibilities and politely decline non-essential commitments. Finally, self-care should not be forgotten when it comes to time management. Academics must emphasize their own well-being by making time for relaxation, exercise, and hobbies. This gives them the energy and focus they need to perform at their best. Academics can avoid burnout and maintain productivity in the long run by including self-care in their agenda and establishing a harmonic integration of work and personal life by setting priorities, making a disciplined timetable, delegating responsibilities, and emphasizing self-care. References Chansaengsee S. (2017). Managing time to contribute to the balance of life, work, school and life. Veridian EJournal, Silpakorn University, 10(5):20-34. Chaudhari, T.  (2022). Time management essentials and importance. International Journal of Commerce and Management Research. P. 6-8. Dr Abdulkadir is working at Skyline University Nigeria as Lecturer 1 in the School of Arts, Management and Social Sciences. He speaks two international languages; English and Arabic, and is an Alumnus of the University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria where he studied Political Science and International Relations for his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. 

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SUN organizes Professional Skill Development Programme (PSDP) for level 100 students

The Students Service Department of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has organized a Professional Skill Development Programme (PSDP) for the level 100 students currently taking their second semester at the campus. The session was organized to inculcate useful values in students that will help them have a fruitful stay at the university. Mr. Trimisiyu Lawal from the Department of Economics and Dr. Nasiru Abdullahi from the Department of Nursing at SUN lectured the students on the essential skills that would support their careers at the institution. While delivering his lecture titled ‘General Etiquettes and Team Work’, Mr. Lawal emphasized the importance of etiquettes as effective for achieving goals, maintaining relationships and building networks throughout tertiary education. He states, “Politeness will enable your success as students. Attitude plays a critical role in learning and that is transferable to what you are likely going to do after school”. He explained that these basic attitudes are critical for a successful higher education career. He adds that social norms guide our behaviors in certain ways and etiquette promotes teamwork. And, students have to restrict themselves from using derogatory or unbefitting words. With derogatory statements, no fruitful exercise will hold. The knowledge of these etiquettes applies to all kinds of engagements including classroom relationships. Mr. Lawal highlighted some useful etiquette for the students such as clear and concise communication, mutual respect, resolving conflicts promptly and recognizing achievements among others. In his lecture, ‘Survival Skills in a Tertiary Institution’, Dr. Abdullahi explained that higher education has numerous challenges. There are a range of skills and activities that will help students overcome what they will face. Some of the basic skills that are vital for students to succeed in their learning at the tertiary institution include class attendance, taking notes, the two-hour study rule, and keeping track of your progress, among others. Some students who attended the session expressed their satisfaction with the overall Programme and hope to apply all they have learnt.  You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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AI and the Future of Higher Education

It is no more news that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking over our day-to-day activities. From medical operations to agricultural activities, manual labour in companies, and learning, AI-supported technologies are rapidly revamping daily routines in virtually all fields of endeavour. Machines and robots are replacing what human beings can do efficiently and faster. Hence, there’s a need to be a part of the early adopters in embracing these current tech developments. Failure to accept these techs will only stagnate our professional and personal development. With the dwindling economies globally, people and students who are oblivious to these innovations would be harmed as the demands of AI users will be high. In education particularly, the sector is consistently being bombarded with the creation of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) supported search engines and helpers that accelerate research, learning, and the development of new knowledge. When it comes to the production of new knowledge, researchers now have a variety of AI instruments that can aid their research processes with minimal errors and maximum results, since they can understand and generate results like humans. Chat GPT (Generative Pretraining Transformer) is one of the famous AI tools that is gaining recognition in the world of Higher Education. It can search for unique researchable topics and includes many available options that will align perfectly with the researcher’s quests in case he or she has a single research option. This ability saves a lot of time and energy that would be channelled towards selecting a researchable topic that would meet all the criteria of research. More so, it offers the availability to be on track while carrying out your research task or assignments or projects. Chat GPT has read thousands of books and articles, so it never gets dull of providing answers whenever it is asked. And, you have a lot of other exciting tools you can explore as you navigate your way around your career during your higher education. For literature searches, you can use research rabbit or connected papers. There, you’d find numerous publications relating to your field of study and these will save you a lot of stress of sifting through a humongous amount of journals and books in the libraries. As a student in higher education institution, you would also be needing support with editing because you would be challenged by grammar issues. Hence, Grammarly and Quillbot are there to enhance your written texts by highlighting your grammatical inconsistencies with alternative suggestions. These will greatly improve your projects while enriching our vocabularies and knowledge. These are just a few of the available AI support tools that are available to support higher education learning. There are available smartboards and Alexa Chatbot options for teaching in classrooms. These tools are now in use around world-class universities and some universities in Nigeria. Skyline University Nigeria uses these smartboards and Alexa Chatbots in its library to support a fruitful learning experience for students. This is very important as the methods expose them to contemporary styles of pedagogies similar to what is obtainable around the world. The recent AI transformation comes at a critical time when new knowledge is in demand every day. Since higher education is the bedrock of the production of new knowledge, it has to be at the forefront of championing the use and promoting the accessibility of AI tools. All sectors of human life are being engulfed by these recent technologies and for youths to remain relevant in a tech-driven world, higher education must incorporate AI tools in teaching and learning. In the coming years, Higher Education would benefit immensely from AI because it will simplify the methods of teaching and learning. It will help youths to efficiently pursue their careers with relative ease.  You can join the conversation on Facebook @SkylineUniversityNG and on Twitter @SkylineUNigeria

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