By Agbasi Emmanuella
The University of Jos ICT department has established itself as a hub of innovation and digital leadership, boasting state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional faculty, and a progressive approach to education that fosters cutting-edge knowledge and skills.
In recent years, the department has undergone significant transformations, with investments in infrastructure, including high-performance computing labs, and advanced networking systems. These facilities have enabled students, and faculties to explore the latest technologies and develop innovative approaches to learning.
In an exclusive interview with Unijos Echo, the director of ICT, Mr. Daniel Inusa Yakmut, highlighted the department’s core mandate, which aligns with the vision of the Vice Chancellor is to create a digital university. He emphasized that his administration has achieved several milestones, including the extension of internet access across the university, with support from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). This initiative has enabled students to access free Wi-Fi from the comfort of their hostels, promoting online digital learning. The department has installed internet facilities in the Abuja and Postgraduate hostels, with plans to expand to other hostels within the university environment.
Mr. Yakmut emphasized that the department works with an annual funding from Tetfund, which has enabled them to drive innovation and digital excellence. Since assuming office in 2021, he has focused on fixing existing challenges and creating new innovations, resulting in significant progress. Notable achievements include clearing the backlog of ID cards and working towards the introduction a new biometric system to prevent impersonation and forgery. The ICT unit has produced over 2,000 ID cards, which are now available for collection by students at the security department.
The department has also made significant strides in promoting digital learning, including training over 300 lecturers to leverage technology for teaching. They are working on a strategy to train more staff, aiming to increase this number. Additionally, they are collaborating with departments to produce online journals, providing students with easy access to resource materials. The ICT department has pioneered the use of online platforms for examinations, which has become a norm for Ph.D. students in the university.
The ICT department comprises six units, all functioning in unison to advance information and technology. The data center is the power hub of the university, managing all internet activities. To facilitate easier learning, the department has introduced improvements to the student portal, including exam cards and increased internet speed.
Mr. Yakmut emphasized that his administration’s ultimate goal is to ensure that the University of Jos becomes fully digital by the time he leaves office. He urged students to embrace the new innovations put in place to promote digital learning. The department has also working collaboration with the Department of Mass Communication to incorporate the Unijos Echo website into the school portal.
As the University of Jos continues to push the boundaries of innovation and digital excellence, its ICT department remains at the forefront, driving the vision of achieving a digital university forward.
