(L-R) The Vice-Chancellor (Development), Professor Lateef Sanni exchanging views with the Registrar, Dr. ‘Bola Adekola while the Chairperson of USSA Mrs. Camilla Fatunmbi watch with keen interest
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako has stressed the need for members of staff to constantly update their knowledge and skill, in order to remain relevant in the system.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the Advanced Data Processing and Proficiency in the Use of Internet Training, organised by the University’s International Centre for Professional Development (ICPD) for Secretaries and Data Processing personnel, Professor Salako who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Development, Professor Lateef Sanni disclosed that new technologies evolve on daily basis and to be in tune with them, there is the need for training and retraining of staff.
The Vice Chancellor who charged members of staff to always avail themselves of the opportunity to acquire new knowledge added that there is no age limit to learning. He commended the University Secretarial Staff Association (USSA) for keying into the Administration’s vision for staff capacity building even as he enjoined them to always be diligent and disciplined in the discharge of their duties.
Corroborating the Vice Chancellor, the Registrar, Dr. ‘Bola Adekola disclosed that Training and retraining is the hallmark of any profession, charged members of staff not to think of it only as an avenue to increase their financial status through per diem but rather as a mean of closing the gap in areas where they are deficient.
Reiterating the importance of training, the Registrar said, “We are in a world that is dynamic and as such there is the need to move with the change. Knowledge update should be a daily affair and working in a University environment, you cannot afford to be complacent with whatever knowledge you have. Professors still attend Conferences and still listen to their Ph.D students. You cannot be in an academic environment and not update your knowledge if not, you will be rusty”.
The Registrar commended ICPD for the well packaged course outline which he said would go beyond the basic use of the computer to exploring the full potential of the computer system, adding that the Diploma certificate to be issued after the course will assist in addressing the needs of Secretaries for the benefit of career progression.
Earlier in her Address, the Chairperson USSA, Mrs. Camilla Fatumbi expressed the Association’s passion for training, adding that the Advanced Data Processing and Proficiency in the Use of Internet Training was targeted at self development and improvement in the Information and Communication Technology skills of Secretaries and Data processors.
Mrs. Fatumbi who noted that though there is no Secretary in the University that is not computer literate, pointed out that the Training is to ensure that they can compete favourable with Secretaries in other parts of the world.
The USSA Chairperson commended the University Management for their support in all it’s programmes and solicited for more particularly by subsidizing the course fee for its members, stressing that it will go a long way to encouraging more members to register.
In his Welcome Address, ICDP Centre Manager, Mr. Lawrence Kazeem disclosed that the Training is a 6-month course tagged, ” Bridging the Digital Divide: Equipping University Non-teaching Staff for the 21st Century”.
He disclosed that the training will be divided into 3-month class work and 3-month internship and would include courses in Microsoft Office-Users Specialist (MOS), Computer Maintenance, Computer Appreciation, Proficiency in the Use of Internet, Office Management, Secretarial Duties and Data Confidentiality.
According to him, ICPD stand as a bridge link between ICT Compliant and non ICT compliant Secretaries. The aim is after the training you will be able to do your work more efficiently, be at par with what is expected of an ICT compliant secretary of the 21stcentury. Work with MOS (Microsoft Officer Users Specialist). We are also looking at Computer Maintenance, Office Management and Secretarial Duties. The programme is focused on making you more professional in your career, the Centre Manager added.