By Emeka Odogwu
The Rector, Diocese on the Niger Polytechnic named, Gozie Anyachebelu Polytechnic, (GOZPOLY), Onitsha, Anambra State, Engr Mrs Helen Chioma Abone, has held out a passionate appeal to Nigerian youth, entreating them to exploit opportunities in Computer and Information Technology Studies to add employable skills to themselves.
She explained that a lot of opportunities now abound in the said areas from where she said anyone could improve oneself and become self-reliant instead of relying on governments for gainful employments.
Engr Mrs Abone who made the appeal in an interview with journalists in her office in Onitsha, Friday, September 27, 2024, had graphically explained, to an extent, what Computer Engineering, Computer Science, and Library and Information Science entailed.
She also highlighted possible economic sectors where job opportunities for the skills could be found and equally underscored secondary school subjects required for the study of the courses.
Among the disciplines, while explaining Computer Engineering, the rector said that “It is a discipline that blends computer science and electrical engineering to design and develop computer hardware and software systems”.
According to her, “This field includes hardware design, embedded systems, and microprocessor architecture, as well as the integration of software with hardware components”.
She said that computer engineers could specialise in areas like telecommunications, robotics, or control systems, and that they could equally work in sectors ranging from consumer electronics to aerospace and medical technology.
Throwing some light on Library and Information Science, Engr Mrs Abone said, “It is the study of managing, organising, and distributing information in various formats”.
She revealed that professionals in the field could work in academic libraries, judiciary, the media and information management, adding, “Tech roles typically, offer competitive salaries, job security, and global career mobility”.
The rector, a renowned Electrical/Electronics Engineer, said that for the study of Science or Computer Engineering, students typically needed to have strong grades in Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Studies, explaining that in some cases, Chemistry might also be required, particularly for engineering courses.
For Library and Information Science, she said, “Subjects like English, Literature, and a social science subject (e.g., Government or Economics) are often essential”.
However she said that the required grades for the courses “depend on the concerned institution, but generally, students need at least credit passes in these subjects at the secondary school level (e.g., WAEC or NECO).
“Strong grades in Mathematics and Physics are particularly important for technical courses”, Engr Mrs Abone emphasized.
She said that with renowned professionals, state-of-the-arts technology and serene academic environment, GOZPOLY is properly positioned to offer the courses with ease and beckoned on qualified prospective applicants with passion for their individual courses to feel free to apply for admission.
The polytechnic offers the following accredited National Diploma (ND) courses: Computer Engineering, Computer Science and Library and Information Science.
According to Engr Mrs Abone, applicants who scored 100 and above in the 2024 JAMB entrance examination were eligible to apply, adding that tuitions for the various courses of the institution “are very affordable with well-considered split mode of payment”.
She assured students of relevant quality education capable of making them function in what she described as “the current competitive world”, calling on parents and guardians to assist their children and wards to actualize their life dreams.
