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Over 41,000 Sub-Saharan Africans Currently Studying in U.S. Institutions—EducationUSA

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The EducationUSA section of the U.S. Department of State says no fewer than  41,000 students from Sub-Saharan Africa are currently studying in American universities and colleges.

The network made this known on Wednesday at the second annual two-day EducationUSA Sub-Saharan Africa virtual fair.

The network promotes U.S. higher education to students around the world by offering detailed and current information about opportunities to study at accredited institutions in the U.

S.

The network of over 430 international student advising centers in more than 175 countries and territories also provides services to the U.S. higher education community.

This is to help institutional leaders meet their recruitment and campus internationalisation goals.

Mr Eric Kneedler, Chargé d’Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, said that American colleges valued international students.

According to him, American institutions have over the past year, demonstrated their commitment to supporting international students and navigating the unprecedented circumstances that came with the pandemic.

“We have witnessed firsthand the adaptability of the U.S. institutions in ensuring that international students continue to access their education with as minimal interruptions as possible.

“Schools have also been innovative and intentional in their engagements.

“This commitment is on display at this virtual EducationUSA fair, where prospective students will receive comprehensive, impartial and current information on study opportunities in the U.S.”

Kneedler said that American education could be accessed not only on campus, but also from home through online programmes and certifications, or hybrid options that combined in person and virtual classes.

“Whatever you envision for your education, there are numerous possibilities in the United States, for you to achieve your goals and you can rest assured you have a supportive accessible community that truly wants you to succeed,” he said.

Fadzi Muzhandu, an Education USA advisor in Zimbabwe, highlighted smart ways through which prospective  undergraduate students could find “best fit schools”.

According to her, selecting colleges and universities is the hardest part of the U.S. admissions process.

She said that there were over 4000 accredited institutions in the country, making the selection process a tricky one.

Muzhandu added that there were five key steps in the process of applying to American universities, stressing that researching options was one of the most important parts.

“This is the most time consuming process but you have to learn to use resources online, especially google.”

The EducationUSA Advisor said that in strategising for success, prospective students should maximize their chances of admission by applying to as many schools as possible.

She urged students to determine their non-negotiable criteria when selecting schools of interest.

This, she said can be the quality of the institution, diversity, facilities available, academic strength in courses of study, tuition, and the availability of financial aid for international students.

She also stressed the importance of completing applications, adding that some students work hard in finding schools that offered scholarships and financial aid but would give up towards the end.

“Regardless of how much work you put into the application process, if you do not complete your application, if you do not click submit on your application, no one gets to see your amazing profile.”

She said that with more than one million international students in the U.S., the country was the number one recipient of international students in the world, making it a choice destination for students.

“Students in Sub-Saharan Africa have become the most mobile tertiary students in the world. From this part of the continent we are sending more students abroad than any other parts of the world.

“If you apply and get accepted to attend, you will be joining the over 41,000 exceptional students who are already there,” she said.

The first day of the fair had in attendance 60 colleges and universities from 26 U.S. states with their representatives on ground to connect with African students virtually. (NAN)

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FG Declares March 29, April 1, Public Holiday to Mark Easter Celebration

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, March 29, and Monday, April 1, as public holidays to mark the Easter celebration.This was contained in a statement by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr Aishetu Ndayako on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to her, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.
Tunji-Ojo urged Christians and all Nigerians to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.
The minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promoted values of love, forgiveness and compassion which were essential for social cohesion and harmony.
He called on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they were capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development of Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.Tunji-Ojo further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.This, he said, was in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.He wished Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration.The minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with the Tinubu’s administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all.

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Wike Woos Indian Investors to Abuja

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The Minister of the Federal Capital (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has sought for huge investments from Indian investors, as part of strategies to fast tract the development of the capital territory, Abuja.

Wike made the call when the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Shri Balasubramanian, visited him in Abuja on Tuesday.

He acknowledged the presence of many Indian companies in the country, particularly petrochemicals and fertiliser companies among others.

“We would also like to have this kind of relationship in Abuja.

“You have seen improvement in security; you have seen improvement in infrastructure in Abuja. That is part of the “Renewed Hope” agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“We will discuss other areas that will be of mutual interest between India and Nigeria, and Abuja in particular,” he said.

The minister said that it was within the purview of the FCT Administration to ensure that all Embassies in Nigeria, have an unhostile environment to enable them perform their assignments.

Earlier, Balasubramanian said that the excellent relationship between India and Nigeria was quite old.

The Ambassador explained that India began its diplomatic relationship with Nigeria two years before the country became independent in 1958, when India established a diplomatic office in Lagos.

He said that there were over 155 Indian companies in Nigeria, with more than 27 billion dollars of investments in various manufacturing areas.

He said that companies ranged from plastics to steel, oil, and pharmaceuticals among others in every sector.

According to him, Indian companies are the second largest employer of labour after the Nigerian government.

“So that is the level of engagement that we have, including wonderful political relationships.

“Culturally, we also have excellent cooperation. We have been having various groups from Nigeria going to India to participate in different exhibitions and cultural activities.

“We are very happy with all the facilities that are being extended to our Embassy.

“We are more than happy about it and would like to continue the relationship”. (NAN)

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British Council Partners NUC on Development of Varsity Curriculum 

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The British Council has partnered with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on the development of curriculum in tertiary institutions.

Mr Chikodi Onyemerela, Director of Programmes, British Council, at a workshop on Enhancing Curriculum and Pedagogical Approaches in Nigerian Universities, in Abuja on Monday, said the partnership was necessary to be in tune with global trend.

He said that there was need to change from traditional approach of teaching and learning to digital literacy in solving problems.

“NUC has since introduced the CCMAS which emphasised the cultivation of critical thinking, digital literacy, problem solving and enterpreneurial skill among graduates and this is imperative for our educational institutions to adopt accordingly.

 

“We must acknowledge the hurdles that lies ahead the traditional approach to teaching and learning which has long been entrenched in our university system and are not easily overturn.

“To change this will require a concerted efforts from each of us to challenge the status quo,” he said.

Also, the Acting Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, called for collaborative efforts in initiating continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities.

He emphasised the need for continuous curriculum reform in Nigerian universities to enable them adapt in a fast-changing world.

He also said that initiating such reforms usually come with challenges, noting that sometimes  the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.

“Continuous curriculum reform has been considered a necessary measure to assist schools respond to a fast-changing world.

“Initiating such reforms is not without challenges as, sometimes, the actualisation of the curriculum renewal is not fully realised due to the challenges of implementation.

“It is gratifying to note that this workshop is coming on the heels of the implementation of the recently-developed Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) in line with the Commission’s enabling laws.

“The new CCMAS is a product of sustained stakeholder interactions and engagement over the years. This involved a blend of academic experts, government (represented by NUC), professional bodies, and the private sector represented by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group(NESG).

“In order to enrich the draft documents, copies of each discipline were forwarded to all critical stakeholders including the relevant academic units in Nigerian Universities, the private sector, professional bodies and the academies for their comments and input,” he said.

Maiyaki said these inputs, along with the curriculum of programmes obtained from some foreign and renowned universities, served as major working materials for the various panels constituted for that purpose.

“Innovative courses such as Venture Creation, Entrepreneurship (programme Specific) and innovation, among others were incorporated into the general studies courses to enhance the employability skills of graduates,”  he said.

Maiyaki added that the new curriculum unbundles the Bachelor of Agriculture, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and the Bachelor of Architecture Programmes, while establishing some emerging specialisations in these fields, in line with global practices.

He, however, stated that this was not a one-time process as there would be curriculum development and review to be at pace with current global trends. (NAN)

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