WaveTek Nigeria Limited, a Microsoft certified partner is working closely with Microsoft, HP, and TD to deliver Microsoft IT Academy for the Anambra State government. The Anambra State Government has signed a school agreement with Microsoft Nigeria to provide the state’s schools with high quality and affordable ICT education.
The agreement will see WaveTek Nigeria Limited provide teachers in secondary schools across the State with ICT education, as well as the tools needed to effectively train students on Microsoft technologies, with a bid to enabling students develop self-reliance and then create a skilled community.
The sum of 2.65 billion Naira was provided by the state for the establishment of the ICT based learning programme. Also, About 25,000 laptops, 1,400 colour printers and other internet connectivity facilities were distributed in a bid to ensure the success of the Microsoft Information Technology Academy in the 450 Secondary Schools. The laptops are programmed with the national curriculum in all subjects.
The initiative was flagged off with the formal launch of Secondary Schools Microsoft Connectivity and Education Programme at the Women Development Centre, Awka.
Present at the signing ceremony were Anambra State legislature, Anambra executive council, traditional rulers and representatives of Microsoft and WaveTek. Peter Obi, Governor of Anambra State was special guest at the occasion.
Speaking at the ceremony, Obi said, “The Anambra Government aims to create positive change in education in the State. We are determined to provide quality IT education to our youth, giving them the skills and knowledge to make them self-reliant and economically productive. Our partnership means we are fulfilling this vision”.
He said the establishment of the Microsoft Academy would help produce better generation of well-informed future leaders.
Ken Spann, Managing Director/CEO WaveTek Nigeria said Governor Obi understands that the future of Anambra and of all Nigeria is in the ICT development and mastery by the Youth of basic and advanced IT Skills.
“Anambra expands the State motto bybecoming the “Light of The Nation” for ICT empowerment. This is the largest integration of Microsoft IT Academies, facilitated by WaveTek Nigeria, combined with laptops, teacher training, Internet Connectivity, WAEC JAMB study aids (provided by Indigenous Software firm,Cinfores) ever done in Nigeria and perhaps all of Africa. I am confident that other States will see benefits from Anambra’s efforts and commence even larger projects and pursue ICT Excellence and skills for their youth,” he stated.
The state commissioner for education, Mrs. UjuOkeke, commended the governor for investing substantial funds and resources to improve the standard of education in schools and reiterated the benefits of the project to students.
Representatives of the communication technology partners, Microsoft Africa Marc Israel and HP Nigeria (Ime Umoh), spoke on the impact of the project which would bridge the gap in education, especially in the 21st century. They noted that Anambra was setting the pace for others.
The Microsoft IT Academy programme schools offer a world-class IT curriculum allowing students utilize the latest Microsoft technologies while learning about information technology and earning Microsoft technology certifications. The programme also aims to link academic learning to job skills, thus allowing students to graduate with the IT skills that they will need to advance in their future careers with minimal adjustment in the working world and contributing positively to the global economy.
With the Microsoft IT Academies in Anambra State, participating students become Microsoft certified, benefiting from e-learning courses demonstrating their proficiency in ICT and equipping them with work-related IT skills.
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