Lecturers , Students of BTU trained on how to use digital tools to improve upon teaching and learning

From Samuel Adadi Akapule, Bolgatanga

Lecturers and Students of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) in the Upper East Region have been trained on how to use digital tools to improve upon teaching and learning.

The training workshop was funded by Global Affairs Canada and administered through the Youth Challenge International (YCI) under the Partner Innovation Fund.

The project, under the theme, “Addressing the digital literacy skills gap among BTU staff and students”, aimed at addressing the knowledge gaps in the application of digital tools in lecture delivery.

Addressing the participants at separate training workshops on the main campus, at Sumbrungu, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of BTU, Professor Peter Osei Boamah, told them that digital literacy and technology skills is very crucial for personal, educational, and professional development.

He stressed that as TVET institution, BTU cannot downplay the potentials of digital literacy and technology skills, and urged the teaching staff to use the knowledge acquired to improve upon lecture delivery so as to help BTU achieve its mandate.

Prof Boamah added that as a Technical University, BTU is charged with the mandate to provide national skills development in Engineering, Applied Arts, Sciences and Technology as well as Technical and Vocational Training,

The Project lead, Professor Daniel Azerikatoa Ayoung , explained that in today’s digital age, access to technology and digital skills has become essential for both internal and external organizational activities as well as social and economic participations.

Professor Ayoung who is also University Librarian of BTU, stated that one of the primary objectives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 is to significantly increase the proportion of the global population with at least a basic level of digital literacy competency.

“Founded on this, the Bolgatanga Technical University is striving to increase its efforts to improve digital skills and knowledge among its staff and students in order to ensure significant organizational efficiency in the interest of its stakeholders as well as empower them for the future”, he stressed. The Training Coordinator, Mr. Wasiu Alabi Amidu, stated that students lacked digital literacy skills and knowledge on digital entrepreneurship and online business development.

He cited for instance that majority of students lacked skills to harness digital platforms such as Linkedln, WhatsApp, and Facebook (social media), e-commerce, and online job opportunities or market their products in other to enhance their income-generating capabilities and financial independence.

The University’s Quality Assurance Officer, Mr Emmanuel Azure, expressed his delight in the projects goal to achieve gender parity in digital skills.
The one hundred students were trained on the usage of digital technologies to promote and market their brands in other to connect with potential customers. In furtherance, the students received training on digital communication tools needed to facilitate interactions, collaborations and sharing of information between individuals and organisations, digital inventory management to be able to track stock levels, sales, and order, digital financial literacy skills, cyber attacks among others.

The participants expressed happiness about the knowledge acquired and indicated that it would help them improve upon their teaching skills.