Skyline University Nigeria

Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) & KEDCO Partner to Establish Power Distribution Training Institute

Kano’s first private university, Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), through the Corporate Affairs Office (CAO) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kano Electricity and Distribution Company Limited (KEDCO) on Monday, 12th October 2020. This will officially foster a joint Certificate/Diploma Programmeme on power distribution training courses for the staff of KEDCO and other external stakeholders. The MOU signing, took place at the KEDCO conference room, chaired by the Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna’s. The partnership would not only avail a joint Certificate/Diploma Programmeme but also, provide comprehensive training and Internship opportunities for Nigerians and Non-Nigerian students of SUN. While speaking at the formal signing ceremony, Dr. Jamil Isyaku said that his organization is very excited to work with a renowned private institution like Skyline University Nigeria, particularly on the immense knowledge that is going to be (shared) through the continuous upskilling and training. He commended Skyline University Nigeria for bringing the partnership to the doorstep KEDCO and urged that the management of SUN to ensure that the MoU remains active. The Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria, Professor Sudhakar Kota, who led a delegation of SUN Staff, comprised of the Representative of the Pro-Chancellor, Mr. Abubakar Ismail Sadiq, the Director of Academic Support Services, Ms. Sarada Maganti, the Head of corporate affairs Eng. Bashir Garba, the Head of Marketing, Mr. Ahmed Bello, the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Hassan Nanven and the Media and Communications Officer, Mr. Unique A. Christian, expressed his appreciation to KEDCO for the partnership. “Skyline University Nigeria would continue to sign such agreements and partnerships to empower  students, faculty and staff” the VC noted. Other members of KEDCO management, present at the signing ceremony include Dr. Vijay Kumar, the C.O.O of KEDCO, Mr. Johnson Timouye, the A.G C.R.A.O, Salisu Abdulsalam, the S.A.S.O, Abubakar Yusuf, the C.C.R.O, Jamilu S. Ahmed, the H.I.A, Mohammed Usman Sa’ad, the H.M.D.M, Yusuf Muktar, the H.G.R, Yusuf Maitama Aminu, the H.O.U Security, Mailafiya Abdullahi Adamu, the B.I.O, Nura Wada Nas, the H.O.U Registry, Abdul Yassar Haruna, the M.I.S, Sumayya Tukur Gadanya, the B.D Officer, Isaac Fabimu, the H.O.U, Omar Lawal Omar, the T.L, L & D, Alfa Ibrahim, the M.I.S.O, Daniel Okum, the C.S/L.A, and Engr. David Omoloye, the C.T.O.

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COVID 19 – SUN Students excited to be back on campus

Students of Skyline University Nigeria have never been so excited to return to campus, following a long absence from school, occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic. It will be recalled, that the Federal Government and the regulatory body of university education in Nigeria, the National Universities Commission (NUC), had in March 2020, instructed the closure of schools in Nigeria, in a bid to curtail the spread of the pandemic. Earlier in the week, following the compliance with safety measures on COVID 19 Pandemic by the Federal Ministry of Education and the NUC, Skyline University Nigeria has announced resumption for the completion of academic activities of the 2019/2020 academic session. The deployment of adequate medical screening equipment, face masks, sanitizers and precautionary notices on COVID-19 prevention guides were pasted, in strategic locations of the university campus, as well as mandatory re-orientation for staff and returning students. Most students returning to the campus spoke about their thoughts on returning to class, surprisingly they expressed satisfaction with the university’s call on students to return to campus. Here are some of the conversations highlighting the issues on the minds of students as they return to campus.  Ibrahim Muttakah, a 100 level student of Entrepreneurship and Innovation stated that he is impressed with the safety measures taken by the university to keep students safe. “I am very excited to be back after this long-awaited break. I’m also excited to see my friends and lecturers and I want to get this done with, as soon as possible and proceed to 200 level. I’m excited to be back” Ibrahim stated. Maryam Bulama, a 100 level student of Mass Communication echoes her excitement as she hopes that the university ramp up the semester to ensure that the time lost during the lockdown would not affect their graduation calendar. “I’m excited to be back after the lockdown and I feel like Skyline University Nigeria is doing a great job keeping students safe while we round up the semester”, she said. Fatimah Zannah, a 100 level students of Computer Science and Information Systems, shared her excitement and appreciated the guidelines and safety measures put in place by the management of Skyline University Nigeria. As she puts it, “Am excited to be back on campus”.

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COVID 19 – Skyline University Nigeria Resumes Full Academic Activities

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).

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SUN and SUC Signs MoU on Continuous Learning Programmemes

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.

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Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) Receives Members of Federal Ministry of Education on Skills Gap Assessment

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.

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Skyline University Nigeria Trains Security Operatives to Align with Educational and Community Goals

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.

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Advanced Digital Skills; A prerogative to Completing Undergraduate Programmemes?

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.

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Potential Positive Derivatives of Digitization & On-line Method of Teaching at Post Covid-19

In my last article, I have advocated use of colossal places like stadium, play ground or any open space available to conduct on-site examination while maintaining social distance which is one of the key preventives for Covid- 19 infection.  This method will obey all the best practices of taking physical examination, safe, and centralized.  In parallel, individualized on-line examination taking process using modern technology is under development, it’s scrutinization and acceptability yet to be tested. Development of a full-proof on-line individualized examination system will help ease the huge logistic and physical infrastructure required to conduct off-line examination system. I also advocated to pursue a blended approach of on-line and face-to-face teaching-learning method to be pursued at post Covid- 19, where positive aspects of each side can be assimilated in developing a more robust and beneficial platform of delivery of learning contents.  It is all known that face-to-face teaching where dexterity and human affection of good teachers has no substitute. At the same time, on-line method offers quite a few positive aspects which can no longer be ignored. So let us examine what are the potential positive derivatives of digitization as well as on-line method of delivery if it is implemented in symbiosis with face-to-face teaching method.   Shortage of teacher in educational Institutions: Very often the issue of shortage of teachers across all institutions from primary level to university cropped up, and this is a primary step to look into for any education system to be effectively functional. This problem, say, from Std. VII to University can be solved by developing a centralized teaching pedagogy using technology enabled platforms, where limited number of teachers can address a large section of students. This may not be the best one, but can emerge as an optimum one.  And to solve the digital divide between have and have-not students, organization can buy like mobile phones or tablets and rent to the students. It is also indicating the future direction in the evolution of library operation.  Libraries needs to lessen expenditure in physical book purchase, instead of, it should change its budget plan to purchase/subscribe soft version of the book and digital device like mobile phone and/or tablets to loan/rent in order to get accessibility to on-line mode of teaching. Improvement in Work-Life balance: This is a very much talked about parameter about how to maintain a good work-life balance? And in terms of teaching and especially in school teaching profession, majority of the teachers are women. In major parts of the world, as society is still patriarchal, additionally if the women hail from low income group, most of the house chores including cooking are burdened with the women. My Indian experience has also observed that most of the educational institutions are working on Saturday and hence the woes are compounded. In this circumstances, out of six working days, teaching of four days from work place and two days from home by adopting on-line method will bring a huge relief to the working women who are serving as teachers.  Economical operation of the organizations: Lot of companies globally has changed the operation from six days to five days/week, and one of the consideration is to reduce the operational and overhead cost. Therefore, for educational institution too, reducing the number of working days at site and partially converting to on-line might help more saving in the revenue. I personally know lot of educational institutions runs in shift because of huge no of student enrolled vis-à-vis paucity of available physical infrastructure. Therefore, partial conversion to on-line mode will reduce the strain in the availability of physical infrastructure. Reduction in the carbon footprint:  According to my Indian experience, most of the educational Institutions opens in between (8-9) AM and closes in between (3-4) PM. This arrangement is adopted in order to beat huge congestions developed afterwards due to office goers.  Though this staggered arrangement is better than starting every activities together, even then no respite. Huge congestion is built up in the school communication hours due to the plying of school buses and many schools are located within city limits. Therefore, reduction of no of on-site working days will definitely reduce the level of air-pollution in the area. Adoption of virtual meeting: Meetings/interactions through virtual mode has become the new norms in Covid times, and there is no hue and cry against this practice.  Therefore, all the business meetings, interviews now onward should be adopted preferably in virtual mode, and this practice will help reduce the unnecessary travelling and, in turn, the level of air pollution.  Exposure to technology and induction of self-learning: Digital divide between kids of “haves” and “have-nots” to access to electronic gadgets and internet is a growing concern; students without tech access could fall further behind. Even in the developed world, a gap of approx. 20% and in the developing world approx. a gap of 50%, exists (1) (Figure 1). So, a gradual arrangement of digital infrastructure in delivering the educational content will automatically close the gap of digital divide. Additionally, digital delivery of content where the direct involvement of the teacher is absent, might induce the spirit of self-learning and digital literacy among youths; and this is no longer a concept.  The Hole-in-the-Wall Education Project (HiWEP) conceived and implemented by Dr. Sugata Mitra, Chief Scientist at National Institute of Information Technology, India, has already proved that how mere availability of educational content in a digital format can inspire young mind’s self-learning and cognitive skills (2, 3). The Hole in the Wall experiment had inspired Indian diplomat Mr. Vikas Swarup to write his debut novel Q & A, which later became the Academy award winning movie Slumdog Millionaire (3). At the end, impetus for gradual digitization of education will assist in the preparedness of uninterrupted delivery in the next crisis time like epidemic/pandemic or any other natural disasters. Today’s new generation not only requires basic education, but also the skill through self-learning to deal with an increasingly complex and connected world. We need

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2nd Anniversary: Skyline University Nigeria Sets to Launch 3 New Courses in Undergraduate Programmemes

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!

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Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) Map out Key Areas of Collaboration on Developing Students’ Capacities

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

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