AKSU to Partner Start Innovation Hub to Develop Digital Literacy

The Management of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) has expressed willingness to partner with Start Innovation Hub, a dynamic and forward-thinking innovation and technology incubation company.

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This was made known during a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nse U. Essien, by members of the company Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Main Campus, Ikot Akpaden, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

Addressing the visiting team, Prof. Essien commended their efforts and ingenuity in developing digital literacy, exporting local content, and applying digital knowledge for productivity enhancement. He informed about plans to provide uninterrupted internet access within the University, encouraged AKSU students from all fields to embrace digital knowledge and talent development, highlighting the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in positioning technology talents. He requested that Start Innovation Hub should furnish the University Management with more details on the training and financial implications of the proposed partnership.

Speaking on behalf of the team, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Start Innovation Hub, Mr. Hanson Johnson, stated that their company is dedicated to fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and empowering startups as well as students to succeed in the fast-paced digital landscape through comprehensive services and resources. He explained that such partnership has provided over 400 alumni of their institution with world-class job opportunities in technology companies globally.

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On the benefits of the proposed partnership, he said that it would help AKSU students to gain knowledge in artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, IoT, design, fabrication, project research, and incubation programmes in collaboration with Google, Meta (Facebook), Harvard and Microsoft.

The Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Esio Oboho, commended Start Innovation Hub for their initiative and noted that nurturing local content would positively impact on economic growth through knowledge circulation, similar to what is observed in Singapore.

He encouraged the team to continue their good work and expressed optimism about the proposal's implementation by the University Management. In a vote of thanks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ita Ewa-Oboho, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and the visiting team for making the Institution a destination of choice.

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Present during the visit were the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Oto-Abasi Akpan; the representative of the Registrar and Secretary to Council, Mrs. Immaculata Effiong; Bursar, Dr. Jacob M. Eseneyen; Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Administration, Vice-Chancellor's Office, Mr. Akaninyene Ibanga; staff of the Directorate of Information, Public Relations, and Protocol and Office of the Registrar. From Start Innovation Hub were: Programme Manager, Youth Johnson and Business Development Manager, Archibong Akpan.