The Acting Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Professor Rosemund Green-Osahogulu, has listed the benefits of deploying Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the conduct of the post Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test, saying it was a positive development for the nation’s education sector.

Prof. Osahogulu, who spoke to newsmen during the post-UTME test conducted by the institution in conjunction with ICT Consultants, Infores Limited in Port Harcourt, noted that, “though we were doing it manually, before but this time with ICT we have peace of mind, saved costs, and also ensured a transparent examination that even the candidates themselves appreciated”.

According to her, candidates from rural areas who were not exposed to the use of computer were accommodated through the two weeks training programme for candidates, noting that stringent measures were put in place to ensure that there were no hitches during the test, disclosing that the measures included, “restriction of admittance to the examination venues to only candidates, restricting parents, relatives and friends from entering the examination halls.

Also speaking, Director of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the university, Professor Dele Osahogulu, noted that inspite of several challenges such as change of ICT consultants, unstable power supply and internet connectivity, the post-UMTE test in the school was successful, disclosing also that the institution planed to deploy ICT in virtually every area of its activities in compliance with the requirements of the National University Commission (NUC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

“We have complied with the requirements of the NUC, NCC and NBTE that every university graduate in the country acquires computer skills; established not just a department of information and communication but also on ICT Centre.

“We also have general studies courses undertaken by every student”, the Professor of Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and pioneer Director of the ICT centre”, emphasised.

He further noted that the university hopes to see the students use the computers whether they are here for three years for National Certificate of Education or four years for degree programme, adding that, “we hope that those who gain admission would continue to learn and acquire training in ICT as we are poised to ensure that it doesn’t end with this (post-UTME) test but that it’s a skill they acquire through constant training.

Speaking in an interview with The Tide, Esther Owoloye and Kitoye Okoni, two of the candidates aspiring to study English Language in the Faculty of Humanities and Computer Sciences respectively, expressed delight at the ease of writing the test and seeing their result at once and commended the institution and the consultant for their efforts.

However, in their reactions, Isaac Owabie and Tochi Kechukwu, who hope to study Computer Science and Biology respectively in the Faculty of Sciences raised concerns about some of the computers not functioning properly and the disadvantaged position of some candidates from rural areas as well as inadequate information on the tests and suggested that in future tests, the university should adequately publicise and organise better training for candidates with little knowledge of computers.

Ekwueme Marylin