By Joseph Joy and Timothy Nwobodo

The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has stated that the Faculty of Management Sciences Ultra-modern Information and Communication Technology, ICT Laboratory Centre will be completed in June, 2024.  

The VC disclosed this on Thursday during the foundation laying ceremony of the ICT Complex at the ESUT campus in Agbani.  

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chike Nwoha, the VC commended the management of the faculty for their pragmatic efforts in ensuring that students in the faculty and at large, in the university as well as members of communities around the university, will need to enrich their intellects through the ICT Centre.

He added that the budding of the ICT center is crucial in the industrial revolution era to equip students with the necessary computer knowledge to prepare them adequately for the task after school.

“The ICT Laboratory center means a lot to ESUT and the surrounding communities. It shows the interest of the faculty in the affairs of the students, especially in their learning. It also helps to show to the world that the faculty has really arrived and that the university takes care of her students.

“This project, which we know involves computerization, is crucial in this era. If you are not computer literate, not just claiming it but doing the total practice of it, then you are in a better position to look for employment elsewhere once you graduate from ESUT. The project will help the students broaden their knowledge in their programmes and courses in the faculty.

“It will not take more than six months (to complete it). God willing, it won’t take more than six months. It is for every student, but the building will be owned by the Management Sciences. If you look at the site, you will see that it is open for every other students, faculties, or departments. In fact, even outsiders can come here and patronize the center, that’s all,” the VC said.

On her part, Dean of the Faculty, Professor Chioma Oleka expressed joy that in less than two months after the project was conceptualized, it’s taking off immediately.

“This is the product of our conference (in October). During our conference, our topic was on digitalization of education through entrepreneurship. After the conference, I then realized that we have not gotten any ICT laboratory centre. During our award night, I threw it open to the people, I told them that the Faculty has not gotten its ICT laboratory center, that we are open for collaboration, sponsorship and partnership. We beckoned on them to come and help us. After one week, one of them that attended the conference called me and asked if the faculty has not gotten an ICT center. I said yes, then he took it up from there,” she said.

On his part, the site Engineer, Mr Valentine Ejike Eneh said the contractor handling the project has been fully mobilized to ensure that the ICT Centre is concluded on schedule.

A member of the Building Committee and the Head of Department, Computer Engineering, Doctor Harmony Nwobodo, said the Centre will help to prepare the students, especially those from the Faculty to be ready-made for the global universe that is being digitized.

Sited at the opposite of ESUT Medical Centre and behind the University’s Library, The Faculty of Management Sciences ICT Laboratory Centre is sponsored by Chief Arthur Eze.