The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has declared to be the largest user of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the conduct of examinations globally.
The Registrar of the organisation, Prof Ishaq Oloyede, made the declaration on Tuesday at this year’s International Week organised by the University of Lagos(UNILAG) Akoka in conjunction with some foreign universities overseas.
He spoke at the event as a panellist alongside the acting Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Dr Chris Maiyaki; the executive secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund(TETFUND), Mr Sonny Echono, who was represented by the ICT director of the fund, Mr Joseph Odoh; and the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof Folasade Ogunsola.
Others on the panel are the First Secretary, European Union Commission, Nigeria, Prof Leila Mathieu; Vice-Chancellor of Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Prof Emase Okonedo; Vice- Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu, Prof Olumuyiwa Odusanya.
Speaking further, Oloyede said no any other examination body in the world including the US and the UK has been able to register and conduct exam online for almost 2 million candidates at a go.
“Only JAMB has this record and it has done it now successfully for many years and also be able to communicate effectively online with the candidates directly,” he stressed.
He also noted that the organisation had been able to accommodate candidates with special needs such as the visually impaired and albinos and so forth, thereby making its entrance exam inclusive, credible, equitable and cost- effective.
He, however, pointed out that though technology, especially Artificial Intelligence has gained wide acceptance globally, the fact remains that AI can only be relevant and credible with people with natural intelligence while inclusive digital transformation is still a way to go for higher education anywhere globally.
In his own contribution, the acting executive secretary of NUC, Dr Chris Maiyaki, also stressed the importance of fast-evolving digital age in today’s activities but worried about the Nigeria’s higher education as it is at a crossroad in the inclusive transformation journey.
According to him, this transformation is not merely about reimaging education and creating systems that leave no one behind.
He commended UNILAG for setting the pace for other universities in putting the university in global map, saying the step is in tandem with the NUC’s vision to position Nigerian universities as dynamic centres of innovation and knowledge dissemination.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, said the essence of the annual international week, with this year’s edition fourth in the series, is to build capacity of faculties and forge global collaboration in the digital world.
According to her, the programme, which has impacted up to 500 students across two departments will further boost employment and skills development, as well as urbanisation.
In his goodwill message, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, His Excellency, Juan Ignacio Sell, expressed happiness to be part of the conference, saying it shows Spain commitment to strengthen its bilaterial ties with Nigeria and UNILAG in extension.
According to him, part of the collaborations is the planned commencement of the offering of Spanish langauge as a course by UNILAG and also the empowerment of women especially in sciences.
On her part, the First Secretary, EU Commission, Nigeria, Prof Leila Mathieu, stated that European Union is very passionate about supporting African universities, especially with grants, peer review research and scholarships to improve their innovation ecosystem, reaffirming continous support.
Among other dignitaries in attedance include the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo- Olu, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Mr Sule Tolani; the Consul-General, South Africa Consulate Lagos, Prof Bobby Moroe; US Consul-General in Lagos, Will Stevens; Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University, Lagos, Prof Clement Kolawole; Drector of International Relations, Partnership and Prospects, UNILAG, Prof Ismail Ibraheem; Deputy Pro Vice- Chancellor, University of Warwick, England, Prof Jo Angouri; Prof Jari Porras from SE4DG LUT University Finland and so forth.
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