Attaining a good academic performance has been the drive for many undergraduates. While this focus is important, identifying skillsets required for a future job application can be very helpful. A skill is related to a specific ability required in one’s academic journey that will eventually lead to a successful career. For example, having the skill of a creative content writer, while possessing a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication or related disciplines in the humanities, can set a student apart from others. Students’ academic performance should reflect their skills and values because when an individual is submitting an application for a job or discussing the job with a potential employer in an interview, he or she will frequently be asked about his or her skills and qualifications. For this reason, it is important to spend some time in school, learning specific skills related to the demands in one’s chosen career. Identifying the difference between the skills required to excel in your chosen career or study, while pursuing academic qualifications will give students a competitive edge. For example, an individual who wants to become a graphics designer for a reputable company might have to possess certain skills in Adobe Photoshop, Corel Draw, Illustrator, etc, that might make him or her a better candidate. Having the academic qualification is a plus because it will improve the candidates’ communications skills, and the ability to take initiative.  In Skyline University Nigeria, pursuing academic qualifications often involves learning specific skills that will set students apart in their career journey. In the university, there are several ways to improve a student’s skills for a certain job. Completing a training or certification Programme through the Centre for Continuous learning is another way to increase qualifications in a very specific area. Increasing skills, however, might require more dedicated independent work. For instance, through participation in extracurricular activities, student clubs and organizations, voluntary services as well as community services.

Executives of the Kano Rotary Club have paid a courtesy visit to Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) on Thursday, 10th May 2021. The President of the Rotary club, Mr. Kassim Yakubu, speaking on the purpose of his team visit, stated that, his organization would like to start up a club for students of the university, to give back to the community as well as develop their personal and professional skills. He added that it would strengthen the existing relationship with the university and upon availability. Mr. Kassim who gave a brief history of the club’s establishment stated, that the club was established on 14th May 1984 and had carried notable projects in Kano and its environments, such as polio campaign, establishing study centers for the less privileged, most especially for the children and women. The club according to him has also ventured into outreach Programmes, where they dig well for urban communities in Kano State. On behalf of the Kano Rotery Club, he appreciated the management of Skyline University Nigeria for the warm reception. The Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Ajith Kumar V.V in his remarks, stated that he has heard so much about the Kano Rotary Club and it gladdened his heart to formally welcome him to the university. 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. The Vice-Chancellor added.  Prof. Ajith shared some of his personal experience as an active member of the Rotract club in India and expressed his happiness to experience a similar thing in Kano. He added that SUN Would be happy to have a rotary club in the University and urged his team to put all the necessary efforts together to make it happen and allowed the students to take ownership. Other members of SUN management who made contributions in the meeting were the University Registrar, Mr. Haruna Aliyu, the Director of Academic Support Service, Ms. Sarada Maganti, and the Head of Sports, Mr. Musa Mohammed.

To mark the World Environment Day on June 5th 2021, Skyline University Nigeria has organized a poster competition amongst participants across private secondary schools in the Kano metropolis. The competition which was held on Monday, 8th May 2021, was opened for all the artists from the competing schools who submitted an entry. The event with the theme ‘Our Earth Our Home’, involved presentation of posters and quiz competition. World Environment Day (WED) is celebrated on 5th June every year and is one of the university’s vehicles for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment. First held in 1974, it has been a flagship campaign for raising awareness on emerging from environmental issues to marine pollution, human overpopulation, and global warming, to sustainable consumption and wildlife crime. 14 schools competed in the event. They include First Grade Comprehensive School, Kingswit International School, Lufaloy Grammar School, Asha International Model School, Andal Science Academy, Yandutse College, Hasyanda International School, Nigerian Tulip International College, Jofay International School, Nifolk International School, Intercontinental College, Swiss Cottage International School, Prime College and Zayyad Academy. The competing schools, being represented by students who meet all the terms and conditions of the competitions were assessed and judged on the basis of creativity, originality, composition, technical excellence, and how well they were able to communicate their ideas to match their posters. Nigerian Tulip International School, represented by Benjamin A. Emmanuel, scored 163 points at first place and received a HP laptop computer. Intercontinental College represented by Maryam Sani Mohammad had 160 points, took second place and received an IPad, while Yandutse College being represented by Yabawa Gana with 157.5, points took third place and received a mobile phone. Other consolation prices are standing fans. Earlier, while delivering his remark, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Ajith Kumar V.V, who welcomed the participants to the event stated that World Environment Day has grown to become a global platform for public outreach. He appreciated the team led by the university’s Event Coordinator, Ms. Nafisa Inuwa for organizing an impressive competition and to the judges, consisting of the SUN Director of Academic Support Service, Ms. Sarada Maganti, Prof. Sanjoy Pal (Department of Biology & Microbiology) and Ms. Jyoti Rajwar (Department of Microbiology).

Facilitators at the recently held 2021 World Environment Day Webinar with the theme, ‘Resetting our relationship with nature’ have sensitized the public that protecting nature is vital in our fight against the current environmental crisis. These crises include Global warming, the depletion of stratospheric ozone, the acidification of surface waters, the extinction of species, the destruction of tropical forests and the precipitous decline of biodiversity. The webinar was organized by Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) on Friday 4th June 2021. Prof. R.Y Hiranmai of the Central University of Gujarat, Dr. Debashish Ghosh of CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dr. Dharmendra K. Dube of Bule Hora University, Ethiopia, Dr. Ameer Kalandra of Jigjiga University, Ethiopia, Dr. Shahid Khan, a Tourism expert and Dr. Iliyasu Garba of Skyline University Nigeria (Visiting), all Keynote Speakers at the webinar agreed amongst others that environmental crisis presents an immense challenge to policy-makers and to many other organizations and individuals who must find a creative solution to sustainable environment. Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Ajith Kumar V.V, stated that as part of the effort to promote a sustainable environment, which is aligned with the theme of the webinar, the university has deemed it fit to hold this webinar as well as the poster competition amongst secondary school in Kano. He thanked the participants and facilitators for honouring the call to be part of a Programmeme that will promote ‘mother earth’. He stated that the webinar served as a platform for generating awareness on the problems facing our environment such as air pollution, plastic pollution, among others. “Furthermore, we will be involving the student to helps drive change in sustaining national and international environmental policy” Prof. Ajith noted. He ended his speech with a note, “Take time for everything before time takes care of everything”. Sanjoy Pal, a Professor of Biology & Microbiology in Skyline University, gave the closing remark. He expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor for his enthusiasm towards the event and appreciated the speakers for their wonderful presentations. “We will hold the next round on Monday, 4th June, 2021 on poster competition to spread more awareness”. Dr. Sanjoy stated.

Too often students placed more emphasis on making good grades and very little emphasis is placed on studies, building soft skills or building intelligence in school. But, there is no substitute for being able to think, solve problems, analyze situations, and understand social values, customs and norms, as required in the workplace without due intelligence. That’s what you get from going to school and learning the right way. Students who studied hard to pass an examination can succeed more in the workplace because they have learnt to manage a problem or situation from their participation in such examinations.  Being attuned to graduate work life is even more significant in analyzing the problems of cheating examinations in the undergraduate days. Here, you will be required to understand, express and manage your own emotions, maintain good social relationships as well as think clearly and solve problems under pressure. Let’s try this exercise. Recall a recent incident where you happened to cheat examination and still manage to get the desired grade. Visualise your knowledge of the course or subject taken as an observer and not a participant. This self-awareness will help you see that you didn’t remember anything from the semester in which you cheated. It is for these reasons that Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has made it important for students to study intelligently, build relationship bond and be assertive, as well as to give back to society and be helpful. In addition to learning and develop the skill of impulse control, the ability to resist temptations to act professionally, etc. which are some of the core areas for students overall development. The sure way to think, solve problems, analyze situations, and understand social values, customs and norms, and competencies, is to work them. Just like strengthening your muscles through exercise, the only way to build these competencies required in the workplace is if you practice working them. If you want to build your biceps, you do need to do heavy weight lifting to improve them. The same thing applies to developing one’s intelligence. If you want to make an enviable grade and have the knowledge stayed with you, you will need to study hard. The more you commit to studying, as well as learning other skills as an undergraduate, the better your personal and professional lives will be. Take the advantage of the resources and facilities available in SUN to learn to solve problems and communicate your skills better.