The Katsina government has converted its Institute of Technology and Management into a full-fledged Information Communication Technology University. The Commissioner for Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Abdulhamid Ahmed-Mani, announced this at a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday in Government House, Katsina.

“The council agreed to see to the conversion of Katsina State Institute of Technology and Management into a full-fledged ICT university that is of more standard for the benefit of humanity. That is in line with the 21st century demand on ICT,” said Mr Ahmed-Mani.

Mr Ahmed-Mani revealed that the council formed a five-person committee under his chairmanship to work with consultants to realise the conversion.

The commissioner said that hitherto, the institute was a diploma-awarding institution, but the governor wanted to make it one of the best ICT Universities in the world.

He further pointed out that the decision was taken from Governor Dikko Radda’s blueprint of establishing an ICT hub in Katsina. 

The establishment of the university, he said, would assist in creating a digital economic zone to attract investors in ICT into Katsina.

Mr Ahmed-Mani also said the government would pay fees for the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSCE) for only one examination in 2024 to candidates who passed the qualifying examination.

According to him, about 82,000 internal candidates attending public schools passed the qualifying examination.

“The government will pay for examination fees for only one examination, be it WAEC, NECO, NABTEB or NBAIS. The student has the option of choosing the examination he/she wants the government to pay for him/her. Parents can equally pay for the other examinations they want their children to sit for.

“And those candidates who are able to get five credits and above, including English Language and Mathematics in that examination, will have their money refunded,” he said.

The education commissioner said the decision was aimed at boosting education and assisting parents to shoulder responsibility for their children’s education.

(NAN)