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The beginning of last year, 2020 was filled with new promises, resolutions, and projected goals. Rather than honouring the new years’ tradition of keeping through with the resolutions made, the year 2020 proved to be a difficult year, filled with unprecedented challenges, due to the COVID-19 Virus outbreak. In Nigeria, the effect cuts across every facet of human existence and the consequences includes a huge disruption in individual routine, loss of jobs and pay cuts across various industries including the educational establishments.Surprisingly, not many people were able to meet up on their set goals of 2020. Yet, as humans, desirous of progress, we can achieve almost anything when we set our minds to it, set new 2021 Goals and carry over some from 2020 until we get it right. When we commit to making things happen, we boost the chances that it will become a reality. Hence, we are only guaranteed a better 2021 if we can do things differently.So, it’s been a few weeks since the New Year began, what are we doing differently from last year to improve academic performance, to develop soft skills and be career-ready as an undergraduate? The first important step to doing things differently is to sit back and reflect on the year that was (2020) and ask the question, what are the things that worked? What didn’t work? What do we want to continue doing in 2020? And what are the negative attitudes we have to say goodbye to as students of Skyline University Nigeria? Here is a little inspiration, to get you started.Study smarterQuizzing yourself is a highly effective study technique. Make a study guide and carry it with you so you can review the questions and answers periodically throughout the day and across several days. Identify the questions that you don’t know and quiz yourself on only those questions. Say your answers aloud.Communicate differentlyThe world is a big network of connections. Some of them are of better quality than others, and your time on this planet is limited. Smart learners understand that they need high-quality connections — people around them who will inspire them, shake their worlds, and ask good and deep questions. We learn best when we are relaxed and have a real friend and mentor around.Try new thingsTo be able to learn, our brain needs stimulation and then a good rest. Just look at how a small child explores the world, looks at everything with curiosity, then tries to put the pieces together and checks the taste. Later, the child “sleeps like a baby!” Smart learners possess that spark of curiosity and often try something new. Take part in some workshops or skill acquisition training and meet new people. They do some things differently and you can learn from them as well.Don’t give up too earlyWith great fear of failure comes giving up too early. Today, we are tempted to try new things just a few times and then resign. When we can’t master something quickly, why bother? However, turn back time and imagine yourself as a child learning how to walk. How many times did you fall in that process? Probably hundreds! Now you possess that great skill without thinking about it, but what would have happened if you had given up too early? Learning takes time and falling often — smart learners understand that.

Guest Lecturer, at the 5th ‘CEO Lecture Series’ of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), Ms. Busola Alofe, and the Registrar/CEO of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) has urged students of the university to take social responsibility very seriously. According to her, social responsibility is especially tied with ethical conduct, passion test and purposeful life, where ideas can be shared in teams to make the society better.                               She gave this charge, amongst others, while delivering a lecture titled ‘Finding Meaning and Fulfilling Purpose through a Life of Social Responsibility’ on Thursday, 10th December 2020 through an online platform. Ms. Alofe, who defined social responsibility as the ethical concept of being accountable for impacting society and culture, and creating ideas that will make the society better, stated that individuals are social entities capable of finding a progressive life. “Students should be able to ask the question, how am I impacting the society positively, because this question is key to finding self?” she added. The principles of social responsibility, she noted, could be applied in every sphere of life in giving back to society. The ethical conduct for the students, according to her, must be measured within context of finding meaning, purpose, passion, fulfilment and stewardship, categorized in the following tips; 1. Students should be able to have the opportunity to explore the things they love to do and what comes to their ways easily. 2. To ask themselves, what qualities they enjoy expressing the most in the world. 3. To create a life purpose statement. 4. Follow inner guidance and decide where they want to go. 5. Be clear about their purpose 6. Conduct passion test. 7. Think about the times they’ve experienced the greatest joy in their life and conduct a joy review. 8. Take time for themselves. 9. Align goals with life purpose and passion and finally take feedbacks from others 10. Measure how they feel about their positive impact in the community. In his opening remark, Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, stated that the relevance of social responsibility in the current context is very important for the youth to shape the society for a better tomorrow. He appreciated the Guest Speaker and added that the lessons of today, will be beneficial to all the students and staff of the university to develop a planned action towards ethical works and conduct. Engr. Bashir Garba, the Head of Corporate Affairs Department of the University and convener of the ‘CEO Guest Lecture Series’, while delivering the closing remark, appreciated the Speaker for the wonderful presentation, which he described as an ‘inspiring and sermon lectures. “Already the visions of Skyline University Nigeria and CIPM are likeminded and we look forward to a more impactful event”, he remarked.

Speakers at the recently held two-day e-training Programmeme, of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), held on Monday, 7th to Tuesday 8th November 2020 has urged participants to develop a work-life balance for employee productivity. The online training Programmeme with the theme, ‘Enhancing Work-Life Balance During Tough Times’ was hosted in collaboration with Skyline University College, Sharjah, for the members of the Ministry of Education Kano, to support the future of work from home as well as demonstrate the importance of machine learning. In her presentation at the two-day e-training, Dr. Kakul Agha, one of the guest speakers, who spoke on ‘work from home & enhancing work-life balance during tough times’, stated that there are more options than ever to enhance the workplace environment and remain productive. She added that a successful work-life balance will leave employees refreshed rather than frazzled at the end of each workday, making them not only better professionals, but better parents, spouses, friends, and community members. Dr. Mohammed Afifi, in another presentation titled, ‘Introduction to BlockChain’, highlighted that Bitcoin is one of the first private Blockchain networks to prove that value can be moved anywhere around the world without banks or other third parties. He defined Blockchain as a decentralised ledger of all transactions in a network. “Blockchain technology can work with other technologies to change the business and work landscape. For example, a Blockchain can be used with smart contracts, so that partial payments are made when certain conditions are met without requiring partial human involvement.” He stated. While positing that within the strategic process of organizational goals, Key Performance Indicators (KPI) must be consistent and set so that they are meaningful for the owning organizational strategy and goals. Dr. Paul Katuse, who delivered training on ‘Achieving Strategic Goals and KPI’S in the current times’ said the e-training will show participants how KPIs can be facilitated by using management frameworks such as the Balanced Scorecard. “KPIs can also be effectively monitored and measured to easily monitor organizational progression”. Dr. Karamath & Dr. Alaa M. Momani, in their presentation on ‘Introduction to Machine learning’, stated that it’s in line with the pursuit of the objectives of the University on capacity-building. “Employee, he stated, would be expected to make use of tools such as Data, which entailed machine learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and pattern recognition”. He added that workplace employee must be able to match skills for greater opportunities. While giving the opening remark, Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria stated that initiatives such as this are one of the university’s corporate social responsibility. He welcomed the participants to the e-training Programmeme “Our core values is based on knowledge skills and value-based education, geared towards bridging the gap between knowledge and skills amongst the youth in Nigeria.

His Excellency, Dr. Fahad Obaid Al Taffaq, the United Arab Emirate (UAE’s) Ambassador to Nigeria, and the guest speaker at the recent CEO Lecture Series organized by the Corporate Affairs Department of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), has advised participants to constantly upgrade their professional knowledge and skills in light of current developments in climate change. He gave this message recently while delivering an online lecture titled ‘UAE’s Commitment to Sustainability in Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change through Economic Diversification’ He defined climate change as a broad range of global phenomena created predominantly by burning fossil fuels, which add heat-trapping gases to the earth’s atmosphere. He highlighted the phenomena to include increased temperature trends, described by global warming, but also encompass changes such as sea-level rise; ice mass loses in Greenland, Antarctica, or arctic and mountain glaciers worldwide; shift in flower/plant blooming as well as extreme weather events. The Guest Lecturer stated that digital technologies and artificial intelligence, predominant in the 20th century had the potential to tackle some of the world’s societal problems, such as climate change. According to him, ICT’s emergence especially in economic diversifications was changing the landscape, and its impact was far-reaching in all sectors of the economy. Mr. Kamal Puri, the Chairman & Founder of Skyline University Nigeria, while delivering a speech, emphasized that there is a big shift in the economy of the world, called the new economy after COVID-19 in which technology is playing a very important role in advancing education. “Education is growing and skill will take over knowledge. When we look into that, there is a lot of innovation coming into the industry and artificial intelligence will augment reality. Hence, we have to regularly update ourselves in training and education”, Mr. Puri advised. Earlier in his opening remarks, Professor Sudhakar Kota, the University’s Vice-Chancellor, appreciated the Guest Lecturer for honouring the invitation to speak in the CEO Lecturer Series of the university. He added that the Guest Lecture Series was set aside to promote literacy and exposure to the students of Skyline University Nigeria, in terms of enhancing their research interest and other activities that can enhance learning and teaching amongst the students. Mr. Nitin Anand, the University’s Pro-Chancellor, in his closing remarks, expressed appreciation to the Guest Speaker and thanked Engr. Bashir Garba, the Head of Corporate Affairs Department of the university for coordinating the event. He also appreciated all those who contributed to the success of the event.

His Royal Highness, Alhaji Dr. Surajo Jankado Labbo, Sarkin Hausawan Turai (Europe) has paid a courtesy visit to Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) on Wednesday, 25th November 2020. His Highness, Dr. Surajo, a well-recognized Emir of the Hausa Community in Europe, who came in the company of his entourage, stated that the visit was his first in the university, since its establishment in 2018. According to him, “I’m especially happy with the progress of this university in Kano State”. On behalf of Europe’s Emirate Council, he appreciated the management of Skyline University for the warm reception and setting up a reputable institution of higher learning in Kano state. He assured them of his highest support. “One thing we can assure you, is our support to the university to achieve a successful operation within the Kano community”.  Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, in his remark, stated that he has heard so much about the Emir and it gladdened his heart to formally welcome him to the university for the first time. He noted that Skyline University Nigeria is an initiative of the UAE, aimed at bridging the gap in education in Nigeria and the world over. “Its always been our endeavour to contribute to the advancement of education, not only in Kano State but Nigeria at Large”. “Our goal is to empower the youth with knowledge, skills and value-based education so that they can be resourceful and have the right manpower, based on the urgent need to build a critical mass of indigenous African graduates who will drive and sustain impactful researches and solutions to industry experts in Nigeria, West Africa, and the Global Community”. Earlier, His Highness, Dr. Surajo was welcomed ceremoniously by the management of SUN, including Mr. Firoj Kumar Rauta, the University Registrar; Ms. Surada Maganti, the Director of Academic Support Services and Engr. Bashir Garba, the Head of Corporate Affairs Department.

Participants at the recently held launching ceremony of the Human Resource Educators’ Network (HREN), an online conference organized by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) have been urged to infuse new approaches into academics to get students prepared to take up the challenges of the industry, by exploring opportunities that will develop students skills as well as their preparedness for the workplace environment. Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), gave this advice on Wednesday, 25th November 2020, during his presentation titled ‘Redefining HR Practice, Corporate and Academic Perspectives in the New Normal’, an online HREN conference, where he was a guest speaker. Prof. Kota pointed out that academic learning outcomes have to based on hands-on experience, to build in students more practical way of learning. While stating that there is a lot of corporate and academic perspective in the new normal, which can be defined in terms of the students going to the industries and gaining firsthand experience, Prof. Kota noted that students should be allowed to write case studies, so that gradually, their awareness to industry practices can be more clearer to them and their adaptability to the new COVID scenario is possible. “Overall, the corporate and academic perspectives will have to work hand in hand to come up with a comprehensive collaboration to develop the right kind of human resource and personnel required for the industries in which the universities can match up with, in a more conducive manner.” Earlier in his opening remark, Dr. Adediran Olawale Taofeek, the President and Chairman of Governing Council of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, described the Vice-Chancellor as an erudite scholar with proven competence in the field of education, consultancy and Quality Assurance that is worth learning from. He thanked Prof. Kota for honouring the invitation to speak at the online conference.

Students of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) are set for the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES). The SIWES Programmeme is a compulsory graduation requirement that will be exposing the students and preparing them for the workplace environment. The students of Skyline University Nigeria will have the opportunity to be recognized for their achievements in their respective chosen career field. Activities lined up for this year’s Programmeme began on, 19th November 2020 with a special orientation ceremony, chaired by Mr. Qasim Abubakar, the Kano Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). Mr. Qasim in his presentation, tagged ‘SIWES Mandatory Orientation‘, stated that the accepted training Programmeme is part of the approved minimum academic standard in the various degree Programmemes for Nigerian students. He added that the scheme is aimed at bridging the existing gap between theory and practice, most especially in Sciences, Agriculture, Medical Sciences (including Nursing), Engineering and Technology, amongst others. “This Programmeme is aimed at exposing students to machines and equipment, professional work experience and ways of safeguarding the work areas and workers in industries, offices, laboratories, hospitals and other organizations”. Earlier in his remark, Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria stated that the SIWES Programmeme is the first of its kind in Skyline University Nigeria, since inception in 2018. He tasked the students to ensure to maintain excellence at their respective SIWES station that would not bemoan failure in the educational landscape of the university but one that would transmit the core values of SUN, geared at addressing issues of national development. Engr. Bashir Garba, the Head of Corporate Affairs Department of the university, while bidding the students farewell, appreciated the members of the ITF, Kano Area Manager for a job well done. Other members of the ITF present at the occasion were Mr. Dauda Lawal, Head of Training; Mr. Zakairys Yusuf Saleh, SIWES Officer; Mr. Abubakar H. Musa, SIWES Accountant and Mr. Haruna Rasheed Abdullahi, the Industrial Development Officer.

The desire by the management of Skyline University Nigeria to drive national impact on education, has necessitated the launch of ‘Educate Community Programmeme’, part of the university’s Corporate Social Responsibility, driven by the desire to help physically challenged youths educationally, mentally and financially. This move by the university would engage the physically challenged with a three months training in ICT, Managerial skills, Business plan set up, Industrial Trainings as well as render financial support. While identifying some of the challenges plaguing the society, Engr. Bashir Garba, the Head of Corporate Affairs Department of the university, stated that illiteracy and poverty, as well as the lack of skills in entrepreneurship development, are some of the challenges that need to be curbed. “Equipping physically challenged people with relevant skills, resources and knowledge to become self-sufficient, through education and entrepreneurial skills are some of the practical solutions that Skyline University Nigeria has identified through this Programmeme”. He added, that through the university, fifteen participants will receive daily training quarterly. “The current economic uncertainties have affected the workforce of the youth, but we will ensure to reach out to as much as many people as possible with the desired skills, quality education and training”. Engr. Bashir Stated. Vijay Arputharaj, a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Information & Communications Technology, Skyline University Nigeria, also an instructor of the training Programmeme, while highlighting some of the progress, stated that It has been one month since the commencement of classes for the underprivileged and physically challenged students. “The classes commenced with 15 students and we have completed module one and progressing to module two”. With the launch of the ‘Educate Community Programmeme’, Skyline University Nigeria is repositioned to deliver outstanding training in line with her core values of knowledge skills and value-based education towards smart solutions to some of the challenges confronting the society’s developmental effort.