Yabatech chosen as I-hub centre in Nigeria

As a technical and vocational institution that is committed to improving research and developmental activities, Yabatech has been chosen as the only I-hub Centre in Africa. This was contained in a press release sent to Blueprint Thursday and signed by the college’s public relations officer.

Yabatech has demonstrated expertise in the provision of support to staff and students to improve on research skills built on knowledge. The college has also provided the enabling environment and sponsorship to its community.  In recognition of this, it has been chosen as the only pioneer Innovation hubs (I-hubs) institution in Nigeria by UNESCO/UNEVOC in Bonn, Germany recently.

I-hubs initiative comprises a substantial change in the way Technical and Vocation Education and Training (TVET) is practised in an institution, making it more relevant to the needs of the economy, society and environment.

The UNESCO-UNEVOC skills for I-hubs initiative was inspired by the challenges and opportunities facing TVET from major ongoing global disruptions affecting the economy, society and environment.

Yabatech was chosen because UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre of the college has been showcasing numerous innovations, and has been actively involved in producing graduates that will be employers of labour to drastically reduce the rate of unemployment in the country.

“Research is a critical factor in the innovation process, and without it there will be no innovation and technological advancement. “The existence of l-hubs in Yabatech  will incubate new ideas, develop innovation capacity, culture and advocacy, engage ecosystem partners and assets, anticipate skill needs, target innovation for youth, adults and vulnerable groups. It also aims to  provide a mix of innovation and technical skills, create new curricula and qualifications and empowering teachers and trainers to deliver new teaching and training processes.

There are only three I-hub centres in the entire Africa: Rift Valley Technical Training Institute, Kenya, Institute of Technology, Seychelles, and Yaba College of Technology, Nigeria.

Yabatech UNESCO-UNEVOC Centre recently organised stakeholders’ meeting to sensitise Yabatech community about the I-hub, and the forthcoming visitation of the foreign assessors between October 21th and 25th, 2019, to validate the college status as the only I-hubs centre in Nigeria.

The purpose of the General Self Assessment (GSA) meeting is to familiarize internal and external stakeholders with strategic objectives of the skills for I-hub, consolidate an institution wide evidence basis of innovation in the institution that takes into account feedback from different stakeholders’ perspectives, and establish and measure key performance of major indicators that can be used to monitor progress over time for the institution’s innovation development.

During GSA meeting, five papers were presented: “Introduction to YCT l-hubs” by the rector of the College, Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe; “Guided Self Assessment” by the Director of UNEVOC Centre, Dr. Ifeoma Akeredolu; “The Balanced Score-card” by the Director of Flexible Skills Development (FSD), Dr. Ibrahim Abdul; “Internal Stakeholders and Evidence of Innovation” by the Senior Lecturer in the Department of Physics, Dr Martins Nzekwe; “Product and Services” by Senior Research Officer in  Applied Research and Technology Innovation (ARTI), Mrs Abosede Rufus.

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