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After five months of lockdown on educational institutions in compliance with safety measures on COVID 19 Pandemic by the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC), the apex regulatory body for university education in Nigeria, Skyline University Nigeria has announced resumption for the completion of academic activities for the 2019/2020 academic session. This was disclosed on Wednesday 30th September 2020, after the Board of Governing Council meeting, followed by an official statement from the NUC instructing Vice-Chancellors of Universities to reopen their respective institutions due to significant decline in the number of people infected with Covid-19 in the country. The Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota, has directed all Faculty and Staff to resume duty from 02nd October 2020, while returning students, are expected to return to campus from 8th October 2020. Fresh students who are interested in pursuing a degree in Skyline University Nigeria, are expected to resume their application process beginning from 2nd October 2020. In his goodwill message, Professor Kota stated that the lockdown allowed the university to look inward and profer certain precautionary measures, as well as leveraging on some pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical protective equipment required to ensure the safety of staff, students, visitors and contractors upon resumption. He advised all staff and students to strictly adhere to the following guidelines as enshrined by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in all SUN Facilities:  To comply with temperature checks at the university entrance. To ensure washing of hands and proper sanitization before entering the reception area. To always wear a face mask in all SUN facilities. To use hand sanitizers as frequent as possible. To avoid all kinds of unnecessary gatherings at one time. To maintain social distancing by staying at least 6 feet (2 meters).

Kano’s first private university, Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), became a Centre for Continuous Learning (CCL) Programmemes, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the management of Skyline University Nigeria and its counterpart university, Skyline University College (SUC), Sharjah. The MoU signing which took place recently in a virtual meeting comprised the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota, The Representatives to the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Ismail, the University Registrar, Mr.Firoj Kumar Rauta, the Director Academic Support Services, Mrs. Sarada Maganti, the Head Corporate Affairs, Engr. Bashir Garba and the members of the Media Department. The MoU would avail both institutions the opportunity to run short certified professional courses while ensuring that the training Programmemes conducted in the university are continually updated to industry needs, for all stages of life. Professor Kota, while speaking at the signing ceremony, said that the partnership was a very remarkable one, noting that it was between Skyline University Nigeria and her sister university, Skyline University College, Sharjah. “I am proud of this partnership coming into effect” he enthused. He commended SUC for bringing the partnership to the doorstep of SUN, as it would avail more people the opportunity to register for the continuous learning Programmeme being offered as a result of the MoU. While delivering his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University College, Dr. Mohammad Hasan Inairat, said that SUC is looking forward to a most fruitful relationship with SUN, taking into account the accomplishment of SUC in the past 30 years. Other members of SUC management Present at the virtual signing ceremony were the Dean Students Affairs, Dr. Osama Ali, the Dean School of IT, Dr. Deepak Kalra, the Dean School of Business, Dr. Ajith Kumar, the Director Marketing & Communication, Mr. Rakesh Gaur, the Head Corporate Affairs, Mr. Rasheed Khalid, the FDC Manager, Mr. Zaidoon Al-Hatamleh, the CCL Assistant, Mr. Roel Pulangco and the Media Communication Officer, Ms. Grace Moleno.

Skyline University Nigeria has continued to be the preferred destination for individuals seeking an institution that adequately prepares graduates for employment during their studentship as all the Programmemes run by the university are fully focused on bridging the gap in skills development. This was in part of an assessment of the Programmemes by the members of the Federal Ministry of Education, who paid a courtesy visit to the university management on 28th, September 2020. The assessment will help to identify the skills gaps of individuals who make up the university community. It is also a critical and effective Programmeme that includes determining desired skills, assessing student’s skills and identifying gaps. According to the ministry’s team lead, Mrs. Obaje C. M. The Programmeme was a confirmation that the university’s plan meets national quality assurance requirement in enterprise, education, and community needs that provides appropriate competency outcome. Skyline University Nigeria has ensured that all her Programmemes from inception, meets the entrepreneurial needs of the community and professional bodies governing accreditation like the National Universities Commission (NUC). This is in conformity to the university’s drive for excellent delivery of knowledge, skills and value-based education. While receiving the guest, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota stated that he is pleased to receive the members of the Federal Ministry of Education. “Skills gap assessment will ensure that the educational Programmemes offered in the university have attained a level that meets or exceeds standards” Prof. Kota stated. Other members of the Federal Ministry of Education present at the meeting includes Mr. Aleshe, A. N. and Mrs. Benjamin Lydia.

In a move to assist with the safety effort, including educators, students, parents, law enforcement agencies, businesses within the campus and faith-based organizations, Skyline University Nigeria has organized a 14 days rigorous quality management training on its security operatives to align with its vision to produce the next generation of entrepreneurs. The training was anchored by the university’s Chief Security Officer, Mr. Hassan Nanven and facilitated by the Burton Blue Security and Consultancy Services Limited. In his remarks, Mr. Hassan expressed hopes that the training would facilitate adequate mitigation measures to enhance the professional and communication skills of the operatives in their respective duty stations. He enjoined the trainees to put in their best to grasp and retain the main points to apply the same to their jobs in the university. He also pointed out that the security operatives are the first point of contact and unlike the traditional security, the operatives have not only been trained to provide excellent public service to the university community but also to serve as a warm and engaging communicator with customers. The participants expressed their excitement and gratitude for SUN commitment in enhancing their professional capacities.

In a world where digital technology rules, incorporating digital tools and services in the curriculum of students has become one of the priorities of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), the first international private university in Kano State. This method has been instrumental in so many ways, in helping students develop critical thinking and be a more independent entrepreneur in the future. While academic success may have been defined as the extent to which a student has completed his/her educational benchmarks, at Skyline University Nigeria, the introduction of value-added learning analytics and incorporating digital system, changes the learning scenario. Thus, it becomes more adaptive to students liking and provides quality to their overall academic success. In Skyline University Nigeria, Advanced digital skills is a prerogative to completing undergraduate Programmemes, as well as provides the tools to motivate students to benefit from the latest technology during their learning process. The university provides a heterogeneous training plan that accommodates teaching with different technology backgrounds in ICT, Media, and other soft skills training, relevant to their entrepreneurial progression. Skills that can be acquired via this learning process can drive up the employment value of the students. The Programmeme is designed to help students succeed during and after the completion of their undergraduate journey. Incorporating teamwork, peer-to-peer learning scenarios, project and critical thinking in a blended classroom environment, where besides the traditional teaching, students can learn amongst their peers in the students’ clubs of the university. Our concept is simple: to implement ideas that will transform our graduates to employers of labour. The goal is to develop more advanced digital skills in the learning process that will be sustainable to the students of Skyline University Nigeria in the long run, through developing an applicable business plan that will allow all students to participate and thus form a federated market-place for the learning community.

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) is celebrating its 2nd anniversary since establishment in 2018. To mark this milestone, the management of the university is set to open its doors to three additional undergraduate courses in Nursing Science, Physiotherapy, Tourism and Hospitality Management, another feat in the validation of its academic Programmemes. The approval request was sent to the National Universities Commission (NUC), the apex regulatory body for university education in Nigeria a few months back and followed by an official visit by the Representatives of the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Ismail, to the office of the NUC’s Executive Secretary, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed. As part of Skyline University Nigeria’s 2nd anniversary, the university has prided herself in developing and nurturing creativity amongst the students’ community through a series of combined lecture series, skills development and training Programmemes. The anniversary celebration also offers members of the university community the opportunity to share and preserve personal stories relating to their experiences with the university through interviews and testimonials. Each testimonials, feature one or two members of the university community relaying a personal story about themselves, their project and how Skyline University Nigeria has had an impact in their lives. Together, these stories provide an invaluable archive of the university’s shared history over two years. Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) is an upshot of the Skyline University College (SUC) in Sharjah, established in 1990 under the brand of Skyline International Group Limited (SIGL) and the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, a member of the UAE Supreme Council and the Ruler of Sharjah. The process of the establishment of SUN wound up with the final inspection of facilities and Programmemes by the verification team of the National Universities Council (NUC) in January 2018. This was followed by an approval, sealed with the provision of an operational license to SUN in May, 2018, by which SUN was authorized to operate as a private university in Kano, Nigeria. Given this approval by the Nigerian Government, the university commenced academic activities with the first batch of applicants of about 120 students into two schools, i.e, ‘School of arts, management and social sciences’ (SAMSS) and ‘School of science and information technology’ (SSIT). Congratulation to Skyline University Nigeria!

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) have mapped out key areas of collaboration between the two institutions to develop the capacities of students and other personnel of the university. This was revealed on Thursday, 3rd September 2020, during an online webinar comprising members of the CIMP and SUN. While speaking to an audience comprised of the top management of the university, i.e. the Vice-Chancellor – Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Head of Corporate Affairs – Engr. Bashir Garba and the Human Resource Manager – Mr. Oluwaseun Rotimi, the CEO of CIPM, Ms. Busola Alofe expressed delight in the steps Skyline University is taking towards developing the capacities of her stakeholders, particularly in the field of human capital. “Every business is about people and so we need people manager in all sectors so that non HR professionals can become members of our institute” she stated. She identified key areas of potential collaboration with Skyline University Nigeria, such as Special academic Programmemes, opportunities for people with disabilities, development of the north in partnership with the state, different areas of interest for membership development such as HR clubs, All sorts of events, Guest lectures etc, SUN as Physical Study centres, online assessment centres, annual essay competitions, library collaboration, Journals and research through the CIPM HR conference, curriculum integration, support for continuous learning and short courses. Earlier in his opening remark, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota expressed hope that the initiative will bring a lot of development to the students’ community and the CIPM. “We have tied up with Cisco, Microsoft, ACCA, CTH, ICAN in Nigeria and now with the CIMP. Our goal is to offer our students with various opportunities to lunch them into the community as job creators rather than job seekers”, the VC stated. Other members of the CIPM team present at the meeting include Mr. Nasiru Burji Salisu – Chairman, Kano State Branch, Mr. Adeyemi Ajayi – Director, Strategy, Advocacy & Stakeholder Relations (SASR), Mrs. Titi Ashiru – Director, Learning & Consultancy (L&C), Mr. Gbenga Totoyi – Director, Membership & Market Development (MMD), Mr. Gbenga Odetunde – Team Lead, Research, Standards & Knowledge (RSK), Mrs. Nkiru Ikwuegbuenyi – Team Lead, Certification, Examinations & Licensing (CEL), Mr. Hassan Turaki – North-west Zonal Officer and Funmi Onasanya – Stakeholder Relations

In a bid to diversify entrepreneurship opportunities for the students’ community of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) through internship, placements opportunities, as well as capacity building that will, in turn, reduce over-dependence on theoretical base education, the management of SUN and the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has partnered to empower the students’ community. The COO/DY.MD of KEDCO, Dr. Vijay Kumar Sonawane, formally made the request, on Wednesday, 2nd September 2020, when he led officials of the power company to pay a courtesy visit to the management of the university. The members of KEDCO include Mr. Makbul Elahi Bhuiya, the Head of Business Development, Mr. Mailafiya Abdullahi Adamu, the Business Development Officer and Mr Omar Lawal O. TL, L&D. While speaking at the meeting, Dr. Vijay expresses delight that KEDCO is ready to go into partnership with Skyline University Nigeria especially at a time when the university is set to bring change in Nigeria. He described the partnership as a mutually benefiting opportunity for both parties. “We have internal training members with us but we believe in a greater engagement with Skyline University Nigeria”, Dr. Vijay added. In the welcome remark, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota, expressed his pleasure at the prospect of improving the level of interaction between the university and KEDCO via collaboration. He stated that Skyline University Nigeria welcomes any development that would add value to the students’ community of the university. In his comments, he commended the effort of KEDCO in providing quality electricity in the Northwestern region of the country. Earlier, while delivering the vote of thanks, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Ismail, the Representative of the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Nitin Anand, stated that the facilities in the university would be made available to KEDCO. He added that the university would also be open to working with KEDCO officials in the areas of research, guest lecture, and technology sharing towards the establishment of the department of engineering shortly. “Our vision is more or less in the same direction to empower the youth. We look forward towards great and successful relationships” Mr. Abubakar added.

When Skyline University Nigeria went into the COVID-19 lockdown, following the statement issued by the National Universities Commissions in March 2020, the management of the university had to quickly switch to new ways to support students remotely. This was a challenge the university had to overcome, given the circumstances of remote teaching. However, through the support of the IT department as well as management expertise, the university was able to find unique solutions to enable continued student’s support in the lockdown. Some of these solutions are highlighted below. Professional Skills Development Programmeme (PSDP) Student soft and hard skills training has adapted rapidly to the COVID-19 situation in Skyline University Nigeria. Skills development is designed to prepare students to make a difference by creating opportunities for them to develop certain practical skillset on businesses and organizations alike. Students of SUN have responded to these training with positivity and resilience. Thanks to the students who remain committed to their projects and have shown a determination to learn it through for their career benefits. Engagement with a virtual Instructor In the past months, staffs and faculties of Skyline University Nigeria have been working together to develop engaging and meaningful materials through online seminars, training, webinars and other activities that have helped maintain students’ motivation amidst the lockdown. These virtual activities usually involve using interactive images and videos demonstration for students understanding of a subject matter. This has been particularly exciting for its effectiveness in the COVID-19 era. Creative Solutions to Responses With so much on the online platform, staff had to be creative with solutions to help students resolve their enquiries. The responses received has been exceptional and creative. As the management has observed that, the Lockdown has not really slowed down students of Skyline University Nigeria. But has helped them to continue to build their knowledge on the art of the platform through creative thinking.