In Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), the health and wellbeing of students and staff will continue to be a priority. Despite the uncertainty of these times and as the number of affected cases of the COVID-19 Pandemic reduces in the country, the university’s mission is unchanged and remained committed to supporting a healthier campus experience while engaging students in the same high-calibre for which the university has become renowned. We have seen that safety reopening of the university is possible through carefully institutional measures, aligned with public health directives to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While this is true, it’s also the perfect time to set oneself up for eating and exercise habits. The use of the university’s sports facilities will produce a healthy result and help you to be regularly active. 30 minutes a day is highly recommended. A healthy body requires a balanced diet. Without a balanced diet, the body is more prone to disease, infection, fatigue, and low academic performance as well as frequent infections. A healthy diet will assist you to feel higher, provide you with more energy, and help you fight stress. Students are encouraged to get enough sleep. It’s better for their mental and physical health as well as boost problem-solving skills. Find your good mood and keep it by making yourself happy and relaxed, such as listening to some soothing music, reading a book, etc. Following these health tips will ensure your campus experience is healthy, fit, and fun.

Following the safety measures of the COVID-19 pandemic by the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC) and the National Universities Commission (NUC). The students of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) after a two weeks revision exercise which complemented the knowledge of the virtual classes held during the lockdown are currently sitting for the 2019/2020 fall semester examination. The examinations, following the compliance with safety measures on COVID 19 by the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC, had been well-organized and the students were very orderly in their conduct as well as following strict observance of social distance. The students were sitting one meter apart, and they all had their face masks on. It will be recalled, that the fall semester was in session and was a few weeks away from examination when the Federal Government and the regulatory body of university education in Nigeria, (NUC), in March 2020, instructed the closure of schools in Nigeria, in a bid to curtail the spread of the pandemic. While the students were away from the campus, the SUN management, utilizing the resources of the university to ensure the continuation of lectures as well as maintained correspondence with the students, dishing out information as at when due. Students, however, had enough time to prepare for the exams because preparation was key to passing the exams. Good luck to all SUN students!

The Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria – His Excellency, Mr. Abhay Thakur has assured members of management of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) of the Indian Embassy’s support to fostering a robust and rewarding relationship with the university. Mr. Abhay gave the support recently when he and his wife, H.E. Dr. Surabhi Thakur paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sudhakar Kota, on Friday, October 23rd, 2020 to witness some of the progress made since his last visit in 2018. In his speech at the occasion, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria applauded Skyline University Nigeria for the desire to promote graduates who will meet industry requirement through high-quality education. “You have all our support and we will do whatever is required from our end to ensure that the prestige and value of this great institution are well-publicized to the global community. Am sure that Skyline University Nigeria will keep the flag of education high in Nigeria” Mr. Abhay remarked. The University’s Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Nitin Anand, who joined the occasion virtually, appreciated the guest for sparing some of his time from his busy schedule to visit the university. “Thank you so much for your presence His Excellence, feel free to take a tour through the campus for an update on our achievements so far.”  While delivering the closing remark, Mr. Abubakar Sadeeq Ismail, the Representative of the Pro-Chancellor, appreciated the guest for taking the time to visit SUN. “This relationship we have cherished a long time with your supports towards assuring that SUN becomes one of the top best in Nigeria. We look forward to having you back here in a most special kind of organized ceremonies like our impending matriculation or convocation” Mr. Abubakar stated. Also present during the courtesy visit, were the Registrar, Mr. Firoj Rauta, the Director of Academic Support Services, Ms. Sarada Maganti, staff and faculty as well as students of the university.

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has tied up with the Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA) to boost student work experience, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Management of SUN and KACCIMA. Aside from the students of Skyline University Nigeria, other beneficiaries of the MoU include SUN staff,  Alumni,  as well as members of the KACCIMA. The Director-General of KACCIMA, Alhaji Tijjani A. Abdu, while speaking at the MoU signing ceremony held on Friday, 23rd October 2020, described the partnership to include community engagement (Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR), career opportunity, research opportunity, and the use of campus facility between Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) and KACCIMA. He further stated that Skyline University Nigeria was the first university in Nigeria to sign such an agreement with the Centre, to train students to boost work experiences for global opportunities, industries and commercial establishments, international trade and manpower quality. He commended SUN for bringing the partnership to the doorstep of KACCIMA as it would avail more people the opportunity with the centre. In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota, who led other SUN principal officials to the event noted that the partnership was a very remarkable one, taking into account the milestones that SUN had been able to accomplish within the short period of her existence in Nigeria. “Our mutual marriage will take Kano and Nigeria a long way”. He stated. Present at the signing ceremony was His Excellency, Mr. Abhay Thakur, the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria and his entourage, Mr. Harish Manwani, the Executive Director of Max Air Line and top officials of KACCIMA.

Students of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN)’s – IT Hub in their effort to meet employer/industry requirement, have designed and implemented desktop and mobile applications to aid their problem solving methods and yield positive improvements amongst employee management system. This was reported during the student’s in-house competition of the IT Hub, part of their course requirement designed to create jobs for the youth across Nigeria.  The competition which was rolled out within the week was coordinated by Dr. Ahmed Abba Haruna, FHEA, a senior lecturer from the Department of Information and Communication Technology, and the founder of the SUN IT Hub. “I encouraged this competition amongst the Level 200 students of Computer Science/Software Engineering to push the students beyond their comfort zones in JAVA and other essential resources, to help shape the students, to spark in them, the perception of a creative mindset. I am happy with what the students have done”. He stated. This initiative was acknowledged by participants of the competition as a delightful part of the ICT Department’s project to raise problem-solving leaders in all spares of human endeavor and as such, delighted to be part of the experience, which fitted perfectly with the vision of Skyline University Nigeria. One of the group leaders, Ms. Firdausi Kabir, a 200 level Student of Software Engineering, described the competition as a very laudable initiative, especially related to its emphasis on the Mobile App development. Mr. Abdulrahman Dan Gongola, a 200 level students of Computer Science, leading group two, expressed pleasure with the training. According to him, this kind of initiatives, that supported youth development, would allow SUN students to solve social problems in the competitive global world. Group leaders in three and four (Mr. Nazir Safianu Salisu – Computer Science and Mr. Muttakah Abdulmunad – Computer Science) stated that the competition would ensure that graduates of SUN would have the opportunities for career options in entrepreneurship startups. There were robust presentation of gifts during the event, moderated by Mr. Ahmed Bello, the Head of Marketing Department of the University. The competition featured an array of IT observers which included Mr. Bello Austin – IT Hardware and Software Support, Mr. Isah Yarima – Programmemer and Mr. Mustapher Saheed – Programmemer.

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) in collaboration with Food Bank Charity Association of Nigeria has on 16th October 2020, joined the global community to commemorate World Food Day by facilitating the distribution of food to hundreds of people in Kano State, part of her Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The food was distributed amongst the needy and less privileged’ in the society. Speaking at the event which took place at the Kano State Library, The Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota, who led the distribution of food amongst the less privileged, to identify tailored goals and interventions for maximum sustainability. “The COVID-19 repercussion to hunger has made it imperative than ever to invest holistically in rendering assistance to the needy where necessary”. Professor Kota stated while delivering the food to one of the beneficiaries. Speaking during the event, the Chairman of Food Bank Charity Association of Nigeria, Mr. Mohammed Sani Garba, enumerated that the association has partnered with Skyline University Nigeria earlier in March 2020 to continue its role in the food aid sector by distributing donated and purchased food items, clothes and medications to the less privilege in the society. “He stated that World Food Day (October 16) is a day of raising awareness of increasing rates of hunger and malnutrition around the world because Food is the essence of life”. The FBCAN Chairman, Mohammed Sani Garba, who led other members of the organization for the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the FBCAN and Skyline University Nigeria, stated that while Skyline University Nigeria is silently involved in community service, there is the need to officially partner to reach a much wider audience. “With this partnership, we will put hands together to put smiles on faces for the development of the society”, he added. The event featured over 300 participants including His Excellency, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, being represented by Dr. Fauziyya Buba Idris, Special Adviser to the Kano State Governor, his Highness, Alh. Bello Ado Bayero, the Danmadamin Kano, amongst others.

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) and the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) are considering the feasibility of a partnership between the two organizations. This was revealed on Tuesday, 13th October 2020, when Professor Sudhakar Kota, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria led a delegation to the NAFDAC Kano office, where he unfolded plans and opportunities that abounds for both organizations. Professor Kota was accompanied by the Representative of the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Abubakar Sadiq Ismail, the Head of Corporate Affairs Department, Engr. Bashir Garba, the Corporate Affairs Executive, Ms. Nafisa Inuwa and the Media and Communications Officer, Mr. Unique A. Christian. Speaking to an audience comprised of Pharm. Shabah Muhammad, the Kano State Coordinator, Mrs. Umar, the Head EFSAN, Dr. D. Abba, the Head Chemical Evaluation, Mr. Abubakar Baba Gana, the Head Rano Zonal Office, Mr. Nuraddeen Adamu, Admin and Protocol, Mr. Musa Abdul, the Head North-West Narcotic Control and Mr. Malami, the Quality Assurance Officer. Professor Kota stated that there were prospects and opportunities for collaboration on training, drug awareness Programmemes, research, SIWESS and Industrial Attachments. He added that he wanted the partnership to be competitive so that stakeholders of both organizations could benefit from it. “We are interested in a long-term relationship with NAFDAC in research exchange that would, in turn, promote our respective institutions”. Skyline University Nigeria is determined to raise youth to be job creators rather than job seekers, the university would like the students to seize every opportunity to create something new from the university or through her collaborations. While appreciating the gesture by the visiting team from Skyline University Nigeria. Pharm. Shabah, said he hopes that the partnership extends up to the National Level so that both parties can enjoy the full extent of the collaboration. “The discussions with some of the NAFDAC stakeholders would create room for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Skyline University Nigeria’s Library has organized its 3rd webinar series on Tuesday 13th October 2020. The webinar with the theme, ‘Writing without Plagiarism and Proper Citations using Mendeley’ was moderated by the Head Librarian of Skyline University Nigeria, Mr. Kabiru Danladi Garba and presented by Mr. Khalid Shalan, an Elsevier Consultant for Africa. The webinar aimed to give a general overview on Elsevier Content and Solutions by an introduction to Mendeley, building a personal library in Mendeley, explain in-text citations, integrating sources in writing, use of most recommended reference styles, discuss collaboration using Mendeley, academic Integrity and plagiarism as well as additional resources. The Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota while delivering the opening remark appreciated the participants for their excellent reception towards the third webinar series and urged the participants to pay keen interest as the event unfolds. “I welcome you to this 3rd webinar, happening at a time when the university has launched its official International Journal of Business Review and Entrepreneurship (IJBRE) volume one”. The guest speaker, Mr. Khalid Shalan, who defined plagiarism as the unethical practice of using words or ideas (either planned or accidental) of another author/researcher or of your previous works without proper acknowledgement, stated that plagiarism is a serious academic and intellectual offence, and can result in highly negative consequences such as paper retractions and loss of author credibility and reputation. Some of the highlights made by Mr. Shalan were that researchers must increase their understanding of plagiarism, Do not copy-paste the text verbatim from the reference paper. Instead, restate the idea in their own words, Use quotes to indicate that the text has been taken from another paper, The quotes should be exactly the way they appear in the paper they are taken from, cite own material—if you are using content from your previous paper, you must cite yourself using the material you have published before without citation is called self-plagiarism and finally, use citation software like EndNote or Reference Manager to manage the citations used for the paper. The Head of Students Service Department, Mr. Nazim Islam, in his closing remarks, expressed appreciation to Mr. Kabiru Danladi Garba for organizing such an informative webinar, to the host presenter, Mr. Khalid Shalam and the participants for their contribution towards the success of the webinar. The webinar featured over 150 participants from diverse academic and professional backgrounds.

The unprecedented and prolonged school closures aimed at keeping students safe from COVID-19 has come to a close end. Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has resumed full academic activities after the COVID-19 lockdown and its pleased to announce that admission into the 2020/2021 academic session is ongoing with encouraging responses from interested students. Following this announcement, SUN, through the marketing and admissions office has started receiving prospective candidates into the following schools – School of Science and Information Technology (SSIT) and the School of Arts Management and Social Science respectively. All tours, such as open day Programmemes for prospective students have been reinstated from Saturday, 17th October 2020. Local and International students are encouraged to contact the admission officers through the following channels www.sun.edu.ng or email us at admission@sun.edu.ng for further enquiry and guide on the COVID-19 safety briefing on the health protocols to be maintained. Information regarding all allocation of admission for the 2020/2021 academic session, will be sent to applicants through email. All returning students are currently attending two weeks of revision classes in preparation for the pending promotion examinations with strict adherence to COVID-19 safety measures.