IAUE Introduces Free Internet Surfing for Students on 3.5 CGPA

Students at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5 or above will now have access to free internet access in the “internet garden” for academic purposes exclusively.

This was revealed by the University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, at an orientation event on “University Web-Related Services” for students organised by the Information and Communications Technology Centre on Wednesday, July 13.

The Vice-Chancellor, who noted that the 3.5 CGPA criterion should not be interpreted as discriminatory, said that it was intended to motivate those with lower CGPAs to study more, and he urged the recipients to take advantage of the opportunity to improve their academic accomplishments.

He warned the recipients that if their CGPA fell below a certain level, they would lose access to the “internet garden,” and he urged them to stay focused on their studies.

While recalling that upon taking office, he promised to give the ICT centre adequate attention due to the role of digital technology in the economy of nations, Onuchuku stated that his administration has provided everything required to make the centre function efficiently in order to better serve the students.

Noting that the world has gone digital, Onuchuku highlighted that the development of the CISCO Networking Academy within the university is part of the aims to make students industry-ready upon graduation due to the huge growth in ICT-based job prospects.

Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi, Director of the Information and Communications Technology Centre, stated that the event fulfilled the center’s objective of reaching all sectors of the university community.

Iyalla-Amadi stated that the programme was designed to educate students on the services provided by the centre in order to prevent them from becoming victims of fraudulent cyber café operators who swindle them due to their lack of digital understanding.

The Director also stated that the students would be instructed on how to use social media platforms to boost their academic competencies rather than for useless purposes.

She stated that the start of the CISCO Networking Academy at the institution will expose students to job opportunities in the ICT sector that they might take advantage of after graduation.

Meanwhile, Barrister Ikem Adiele, Director of Training and Capacity Building, has emphasised the relevance of Information and Communications Technology in the current digital economy.

Adiele stated that the purpose of the sensitization session was to urge pupils to adapt to the new trend in education by utilising digital technology.

Dr Philemon Iyagba, Dean of Students Affairs, also spoke, noting that ICT is a critical component of current life since it drives all aspects of modern life, including education and employment development.

Resource personnel from the ICT centre, the Department of Computer Science, and the CISCO Academy discussed the many web-based services available at the centre and how students could use them to achieve their academic goals.

The following topics were highlighted: University Portal Use; CISCO Academy in IAUE; RMS Related Matters; and What You Need to Know About Admissions and NYSC.

Other topics included GNS-related issues, ICT courses and offerings, university websites and social media, internet use, and computer-based tests.

Previously, the VC commissioned the ICTC “internet garden” and the students’ waiting room, which were meant primarily to improve and encourage academic performance among students while also providing some amount of comfort while waiting to access services provided at the centre.