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The years so far have been a time of highlighted academic initiatives for Skyline University Nigeria. From the stage of acquiring the National Universities Commission (NUC’s) provisional license in 2018 to the commencement of academic sessions and the conduct of maiden matriculation ceremony to the successful completion of the verification exercise and approval of three additional courses by the NUC. SUN has entered its fourth year of academic excellence and has continued to prepare students for student-based intellectual activities and career training, which are some of the visions of the University. During the past months, Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has witnessed many new and inviting developments. Some of these developments include the recent National Universities Commission (NUC’s) Approval to Run B.NSc Nursing Science, Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT), and B.Sc Tourism and Hospitality Management which is currently ongoing in the 2021/2022 academic session. Recently, the NUC began its resource assessment of Programmemes in Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) proposed to be part of the courses run by the University. Apart from these developments, the University has highlighted its academic initiatives into 2022. They include teaching methodologies, accreditation, research activities, Ceo/Guest lecture series, technical visits, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with other universities, amongst others. Accreditation Skyline University Nigeria recently received members of the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the accreditation exercise of eleven academic Programmemes. These Programmemes, including Accounting, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship Studies and Innovation, Biochemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Microbiology, Software Engineering, Economics, International Relations, and Mass Communications, are part of the courses run by the University. The accreditation exercise of the University’s Programmemes is a major mandate of the NUC that seeks to enhance quality assurance, and secure that graduates of the University are sound, functional, and efficient who can meet the challenges of the present and have the capacity to compete favorably with their counterparts anywhere in the world. It also ensures that the University conforms to the expectations of the regulatory body in maintaining quality and academic standards in all of its Programmemes.  CEO/Guest Lecture Series The Guest Lecture Series is one of the platforms set aside by Skyline University Nigeria to inspire the students and expose them to the activities that can enhance brilliant entrepreneurship ideas, to inform them of new ideas and insights from CEOs and leaders across the world, and to prepare them for the global workplace. The main inspiration of the activity is to get the student to hear from an expert in the industry, to learn from their valuable experiences, important secrets from their career successes, their entrepreneurial secrets that can teach the most valuable lessons to the students and help them to develop themselves in areas of soft skills, such as teamwork, focus, fairness, unbiased, responsibility, accountability, and trust. The Guest Lecture series is geared to help students of the university desirous of owning businesses and other ventures to develop the necessary skills required in the business environment, go on to develop their respective entrepreneurial success, and make valuable contributions to the development of the country at large. This kind of event is important for business and non-business students who have an entrepreneurial mind to know how to manage their own business. Industry/Technical visits If it was possible to learn swimming from the four walls of the University without actually being in the pool or taking a driving lesson from the classroom environment, Skyline University would consider students’ technical visits with less priority. While theoretical knowledge of skill-based subjects needs to be supported by practical, the Univesity believes that allowing students to go out on industry/technical visits will provide real-world experience and exposure to students. This is helping to explore them the additional skills that help students prepare for the challenges in the workplace. This is in a bid to develop interpersonal skills and improve students’ sense of innovation and much more and ultimately help them come up with more exciting ideas that will benefit them in the workplace environment and ultimately transform society. Technical visits are an important part of students’ learning. It educates students of the University on certain areas in their discipline and provides additional context and clarity in the causes taught. Technical visits are in line with the University’s mission to maintain international best practices and entrepreneurship development in the students and encourage them to build their different industries. MoUs with Other Universities To encourage closer academic ties, Skyline University Nigeria has entered into an agreement of cooperation with like-mind institutions to establish Programmes of exchange and collaboration in areas of interest and benefit for the different institutions. This was done through the ratification of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will serve as a general framework for cooperation and hence, facilitate discussions of more specific Programmes of collaboration. Some of the Institutions which the University has signed an MoU with includes the Sule Lamido University, International Universities and Colleges (NICC), Audu Bako College of Agriculture, Danbatta, Universiti Technology Petronas, Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM), Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), KEDCO, Food Bank Charity Association of Nigeria (FBCAN), Federal University Dutse (FUD), Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Etc. Finally, it’s important to highlight that Skyline University Nigeria is aimed to deliver on the mandate to provide a dynamic academic and research environment in pursuit of excellence with integrity to serve society as well as produce graduates that will emerge as solution-providers. Hence, the Vision of the University continues to remain a work in progress, following new and exciting opportunities for prospective students looking to acquire not only the required skills and knowledge needed in the workplace but also to be part of the contributors to National development.

Most students are often made to believe that entrepreneurs are born and not made, or that universities drop out make better entrepreneurs. This is widely because the term entrepreneurship has been associated with tech giants like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Elon Musk, amongst other successful business people who have been listed as college dropouts. Such beliefs have continued to work against many University students and graduates in Africa who could have managed to work out their own start-ups instead of looking for jobs, people who could be taking on financial risks in the hope to make a profit. People who could identify a problem and solve the problem with a business idea, test the idea and reach financial stability. In universities, entrepreneurship is thought of as the activity involved in setting up a business, while taking on financial risks in the hope to make a profit. As a students entrepreneur, in addition to developing a mindset of innovation and financial risk-taking initiatives, students are advised to look out for qualified lecturers and trainers who are motivated to work with them on projects that are likely to transform their ideas into start-ups. In order to succeed as a students entrepreneur, there is a need to join a university that transcends quality teaching and awarding of degrees and certificates not only in academics but in creativity, ideas building, and initiative development. For students entrepreneurs to flourish, therefore, universities should be ready to support students turn their ideas into physical products and services.

The Management of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ajith Kumar V.V. has paid a courtesy visit to National Board for Technology Incubation Center, Kano on Wednesday 2nd February, 2022. The visit was paid to solidify existing relationship with the center, see the facilities provided and understand the various prototypes of organizational models and their operations with a view to establishing the University’s incubation center. The Vice-Chancellor led team, includes the Dean of School of Arts, Management and Social Sciences, (SAMSS) Dr. Sudha Mavuri, and the Corporate Affairs Supervisor, Mr. Saka Shehu. Prof. Ajith, while speaking on the purpose of his team visit to National Board for Technology Incubation Center, Kano, appreciated the management of the Centre for the warm reception. He pledged SUN support to the Centre, ensuring that both establishment work together to change people’s perceptions from seeking job to creating job in the society through collaborative efforts. “The old ways of producing graduates majorly as employment seekers is no longer relevant in today’s society. We want to create awareness among students on becoming job-creators instead of job-seekers”. The Center Manager, Alhaji Yusuf Adamu, while receiving the visiting team from SUN, said the aim of the centre is to identify, nurture and translate technology ideas and innovation in the broad area with a focus to serve the society and it will also be a stepping stone for the growth of entrepreneurship activities not only in Kano but Nigeria as a whole. In his words, “The center provides a platform to enthusiastic, zealous, and aspiring entrepreneurs, encouraged talent and innovative thinking and provide opportunities to the potential change makers of the academia and industry, thereby contributing towards bringing a positive change”. The team also had an opportunity for one-to-one discussion with the Founder: Engausa Global Tech HUB, Engr. Mustapha Habu who shared with SUN Team, various activities the Center is into and how both establishment can come together in promoting entrepreneurial intention amongst students and people of Kano State.

Skyline University Nigeria has organized its 5th ‘How I Got There’ webinar on 31st January 2022 for students of the University. The webinar was designed to help students take giant steps in their careers by learning from professionals who have gone ahead in their professional careers. This would not only provide career guidance for the students but will have an impact on their career prospects and guide them against the pitfalls of entrepreneurship. The guest speaker, Mr. Anand Deshpande, while making his presentation at the event, stated that no new skills happen in one’s career without long hours of practice and experience which he described as very important for their career development. “Every new initiative is a new experience and learn to take calculated risk earlier in life. The more the calculated risk, the more the reward”, the guest speaker stated. While noting some of the experiences incurred on his business journey, Mr. Anand stated that what holds the youth back is the decision to give their all to make their career work, noting that networking is very important as It helps to open the way for the next opportunity, contributes to one’s social well-being and leads to the exchange of ideas. In his words, “Networking helps you meet people at all professional levels and boosts your professional confidence”. Amongst other things, Mr. Anand expressively talked about career profiles, international exposures, the importance of mentoring support early in one’s career, appreciation of diverse cultures as well as performance measurement. He advised the students to focus more on managing their performance, accept feedback very often and develop an entrepreneurial mindset as well as being passionate about their work. Earlier while delivering the opening remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of SUN, Prof. Ajith Kumar V.V welcomed the participants to the event and appreciated the guest speaker for sparing his valuable time to speak to the students of the University. “We have identified people who have made a name for themselves and we want our students to learn from this and be successful. We look forward to some more relationship building”, the Vice-Chancellor stated The webinar was attended by management, Staff, and Students of the university, as well as members of the general public.

Both Nursing and Accounting as a course in the university can indeed give promising careers. While Nursing belongs to the field of clinical science and helps a range of patients with different illnesses, accounting requires more math to help companies position themselves financially. Although both courses would require strong math skills, an accounting degree demands a more mathematical mind. For those contemplating amongst these 2 degrees available at Skyline University Nigeria, Let’s see which of these courses is best for your acceptance. Accounting offers the chance to be forward-thinking to project how a corporation can best leverage its assets for growth. With accounting, the main target is more historical – analyzing performance and using that information to enhance a company’s financial position. Looking at the main points about where a corporation has been, its current financial state, and using that information to tell business decisions about the longer a larger business goal. Career opportunities in accounting have similarly expansive options, including working for public accounting firms or within accounting departments at companies. These roles include accounts payable, payroll, book of account, and financial analysis, contributing to budget planning and strategic planning with in-depth knowledge of a business’s financial position. Others include Fund Accountancy, Cost Estimator, Forensic Accountant, Real Estate Appraiser, Tax Accountant, Tax Attorney, Accounting Clerk, etc. Prospective nurses can focus on specialized areas of medicine for their projected job growth. They include Nurse-midwifery, Anesthetist who provides patients with anesthesia for surgery and assist in caring for individuals during their time in the operating room; Nurses educators that provide combine teaching with clinical expertise to design, evaluate, and implement education Programmes for nurses in schools, universities, and colleges; Nurse practitioners who provide primary and specialty care, often working in collaboration with doctors, etc. The classes required for these degrees also are distinctly different. Accounting involves classes in accounting practices, ethics, business law, tax, audit, and accounting theory. If you major in accounting, you may take classes about macroeconomics, money and banking, investments, financial markets, institutions etc. Many people with an accounting degree pursue careers in investments, banking, and insurance. Nursing on the other hand focuses on classes such as Nursing Fundamentals, Physiology, Introduction to Psychology, Microbiology, Psychology Mental Health, Pharmacology, Women and Infant Health, as well as Leadership Management. Yes, Nursing and accounting are interesting courses to study. Their acceptance are widely sort after in the marketplace.