Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi state, Directorate of Academic Planning, has organized a one-day capacity-building workshop for all teaching staff in preparation for the full implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) geared towards promoting collaborative teaching and learning, geared towards the advancement of academic standards in the university.
The workshop themed “Effective Implementation of Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS)” was necessitated by the innovations initiated in the Nigerian University System by the National Universities Commission.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Sunday Elom who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Romanus Ejiaga said in keeping with its mandate of making University Education in Nigeria more responsive to the needs of the country, the National Universities Commission developed the CCMAS to reflect the 21st-century realities in existing and new disciplines and programmes in the Nigerian University system.
Prof. Elom noted that the skills and knowledge that staff would acquire at the workshop will help them in the effective use of technology in the curriculum delivery of the CCMAS, especially as education technologies continue to evolve in this digital age.
He commended the Directorate of Academic Planning for the energy, time, and resources they have put in place to help in assisting the university teaching staff to develop the requisite skills and competencies needed for the effective implementation of the CCMAS.
He therefore urged all teaching staff to ensure they participate fully in the workshop to acquire effective learning experiences that could address the employability skill gaps of graduates.
While speaking on the first lecture titled, “Traditional and Modern Methods of Teaching in Higher Education”, the Director of Academic Planning, Prof, Amobi Ekwe stated that academics need to understand the areas to be more traditional and areas to integrate modern methods during teaching, stressing that technology must always be at the center due to its impact in teaching and learning in the present digital age.
Prof. Ekwe further emphasized the strategic importance of digital literacy for all teaching staff, stressing that it helps in enhancing the capacity to stay relevant in their various fields.
He noted that CCMAS is meant to transform the Nigerian University system to meet its goal of supporting national development, and called on teachers in Nigerian Universities to work towards the enhancement of their capacities to adapt to the modern methods of teaching to deliver the curriculum.
Other speakers at the workshop include Dr. Fransisca Ogba who spoke on”21st Teaching Century Skills; Dr. Lawrence Ogugua delivered a lecture on “Quality Assurance Mechanism for effective implementation of CCMAS”
Prof. Dr. Johnny Ogunji and Prof.Isaac Osakwe talked on “Delivering CCMAS via Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Hybrid Mode” while Prof. Nwabueze Elom highlighted the importance of “Nurturing Deep Thinking and Problem-solving Skills among Nigerian Undergraduates, (Beneficiaries of the CCMAS) and Dr. Ntasiobi Igu spoke on “Effective Teaching of Entrepreneurship and General Studies”.
After the workshop, the teaching staff are now turbo-charged and fully prepared for the implementation of the Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standard (CCMAS) in the teaching and learning activities of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State in the ongoing 2023/2024 academic session. Before now, series of seminars, workshops and pieces of training have been held in the university for all concerned stakeholders, for the eventual seamless take-off of the CCMAS.
NEWS CREDIT: ELOM IYKE UBOCHI