Ignatius Ajuru University of Education students with a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.5 and above will henceforth enjoy free internet surfing in the "internet garden" for academic purposes only.

This was disclosed by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, at an orientation programme on “University Web-Related Services” for students of the institution, organised by the Information and Communications Technology Centre, at the university auditorium, on Wednesday, July 13.

The Vice-Chancellor, who clarified that the 3.5 CGPA benchmark should not be construed to be discriminatory, explained that it was aimed at spurring those with lower CGPA to work harder, as he admonished the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to enhance their academic performances.

He reminded the beneficiaries that anyone whose CGPA dropped below the benchmark would lose access to the “internet garden”, and charged them to sustain the commitment to their studies.

Onuchuku while recalling that on the assumption of office, he promised to give the ICT centre adequate attention because of the role of digital technology in the economy of nations, affirmed that his administration has provided everything needed to make the centre function efficiently in order to serve the students better.

Noting that the world has become digital, Onuchuku revealed that the establishment of the CISCO Networking Academy in the institution is part of the plans to make the students industry-ready upon graduation because of the tremendous growth in ICT-based job opportunities.

On her part, the Director of the Information and Communications Technology centre, Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi, said the event was the accomplishment of the vision of the centre to reach all sectors of the university community.

Iyalla-Amadi disclosed that the programme was organised to enlighten the students on the services offered at the centre in order to guide them against becoming victims of fraudulent cyber café operators who defraud them because of their little or no digital knowledge.

The Director added that the students would be educated on how to make positive use of social media platforms to enhance their academic competencies rather than using them for unproductive ventures.

She disclosed that the commencement of the CISCO Networking Academy in the university would expose the students to employment opportunities available in the ICT sector which they could leverage upon graduation.

Meanwhile, the Director of training and capacity building, Barrister Ikem Adiele, has emphasised the importance of Information and Communications Technology in the present era of digital economy.

Adiele pointed out that the essence of the sensitisation programme was to encourage the students to adapt to the modern trend in education through the application of digital technologies.

Also speaking, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr Philemon Iyagba, noted that ICT is a key component of the modern world as it drives every aspect of modern activities, including education and job creation.

Resource persons from the ICT centre, the Department of Computer Science, and the CISCO Academy talked about the different web-based services offered at the centre and how the students could leverage them to accomplish their academic goals.

Areas highlighted were: Use of University Portal; CISCO Academy in IAUE; RMS Related Matters; and What You Need to Know About Admissions and NYSC.

Others were: GNS Related Matters; ICT Courses and Offerings; University Websites and Social Media; Use of the Internet; and Computer Based Tests.

Earlier, the VC commissioned the ICTC “internet garden” and the students’ waiting area designed primarily to boost and encourage academic excellence among the students, as well as offer some measure of comfort while waiting to access services provided at the centre.