Kbizzle News Hub: UEW Department of ICT Education to Introduce New Programmes

The Head of Department (HoD) of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Education, Mr. Kofi Bentum Wilson has hinted that the Department was at the verge to introduce new programmes that were of relevance to the 21^st century.

He said as part of their efforts to expand the Department and also to meet the expectations of the Corporate Strategic Plan of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) to be a leader in teacher education in Africa and the world, there was the need for the introduction of the new programmes.

The new programmes are: Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology (B.Sc ICT) with specialisation in Data Communication and Networking, Software Engineering and Web, Multi-media and Gaming Technologies for the undergraduate applicants and Master of Education in Information Technology (M.Ed IT) for the Sandwich and Post-graduate applicants.

Mr. Wilson disclosed this in an interview during a Retreat held for the Lecturers and the Teaching Assistants (TAs) of the Department at Manna Heights Hotel in Mankessim from 15^th – 17^th December, 2017.

He pointed out that the new programmes were to enable them adapt to the changing world as technology evolved constantly. He opined that "with the new undergraduate programme, there will be areas of specialisation that will allow students fit in with the current trends in industry and the world".

“I urge everyone out there having interest in ICT to take heart as the expansion is about to take-off. There will be a place for you to fit in. The areas of specialisation are: Data Communication and Networking, Software Engineering and Web, Multi-media and Gaming Technologies." He said.

The HoD noted that the world had changed in terms of technology and education, therefore, their approach was to expand the ICT programme to try to link industry and academia.

The Retreat was under theme “Innovative Approaches to meet the Challenges of ICT Education in the 21^st Century”. According to the HoD, the purpose for the theme was to help blend the current trends in education and that of technology to produce the best out of the continuous changes in the world of technology.

“As it is now in the secondary schools, they do ICT as a core and at times as an elective subject. Once ICT has become one of the basis of education, then we need to have people on the ground to take up the teaching mantle at the various basic and secondary schools.” He said.

He emphasised that the theme was basically to give their students the leverage to withstand the tough standards at the secondary schools.

“ICT is not only about typing and editing but it goes beyond that. As a result, we are looking at expanding the programme so that those who want to venture into other courses can do so. I know that since they are going to teach, they will have the knowledge and skill to impart properly.” He referred to the UEW ICT students.

He stressed that the basic and secondary schools were deploying technology in terms of the Learning Managerial Systems to support effective delivery and other access to education.

He reiterated that the Department would continue to tap into the mandate of the University to be the best through the initiation of new programmes to help the students to also be the best within the sub-region, Africa and the world at large.

The Examinations Officer of the Department, Ms. Esther Gyimah also explained that the theme was inspired by the regular evolution of technology in this 21^st century. She however advised the students to prepare themselves to meet both local and international standards as something new emanates almost every six months.

“We have realised that technology keeps changing and evolving in a field like ours every six months. In view of this, we thought it wise to run courses on these areas to see how best we can structure our programmes to meet this ever changing industry demands when it comes to technology.

“Mind you that we are producing students out there every year and the question is how can they make an impact in the world? Therefore, we believe there is the need to train students who can meet these demands or ever changing trends in technology.” She said.

Guest attendee was the UEW Accreditation Officer, Planning Unit, Mr. Ebenezer Kofi Narh Adinku.