YABATECH plans to improve teaching, learning structure — Rector

Dr Ibraheem Abdul, Rector, Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) says plans are underway to review the concept of its timetable structure and involve industry experts in the teaching and learning process.

Abdul, in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, in Lagos, said it would create an enabling environment whereby more time would be given for collaborative engagement among students.

According to him, that plans will provide more opportunities for practical learning through industry visits and excursions, whereby students will have a share of the experts’ field experience.

“The management is in the process of making the teaching schedule easier and more efficient to enable students to have more time to engage in other extracurricular activities.

“We want to seek the involvement of industry experts in teaching and learning, to interact with the students and share from their field experience, such that at least one hour weekly or monthly is given to this effect.

“We are also deepening our collaboration with renowned online learning platforms to provide access for our students for their specialised training and certification courses in areas like Critical Thinking, Communication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and other 21st-century Skills.

“Already, we’re in partnership with Huawei, CISCO, and we’re engaging with Coursera, Saylo, amongst others in this regard.” Abdul said.

The YABATECH Rector called on students to make good use of the institution and the facilities within.

He urged them to avail themselves of the opportunities provided and be determined to excel in all ramifications.

He charged the students to be studious, pray, engage in community service, and stay away from vices such as cultism and examination malpractice.

The YABATECH Rector, said that the management had also proposed to provide more resources on the College Learning Management System (LMS) for full-time and part-time students.

He said that there would be room for online learning at the convenience of lecturers and the students.

‘This will ensure that technology is incorporated into the daily learning of the students.

“We are working to improve access to Internet services and power supply for members of staff and students in laboratories, classrooms and hostels, also to use alternative energy sources like Solar to ensure a constant supply of electricity.

“Part of our target is to produce some industry-enriched video resources in collaboration with our industry partners under the Yabatech Industry Alliance Group (YIAG) that was launched last year.

“The management is also in the process of building a science, technology, and incubation hall to provide opportunities for innovative and entrepreneurial students to start up their businesses and have access to mentorship in business,” he said.

Abdul advised the students to take responsibility for their learning and acquire enough skills to be competent and fit for the future.

“For World-class students, the school is not just a place to receive lectures and go back home.

“It is an institution that shapes the rest of your life and the foundation of who you would eventually become,” he said.

The YABATECH Rector, who was appointed into office in May 2023, solicited the cooperation of members of staff, encouraging them to engage in more research.

“I also ask for members of staff cooperation in making teaching and learning more convenient for students, as this is a collective responsibility.

“The staff should engage more in research work to enable them to solve societal problems and tap into available grounds both nationally and internationally,” he said.