THE CENTRE for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), has trained university lecturers on Financial Technology (Fintech) and Blockchain.
The training aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of digital financial systems and facilitate the integration of fintech and blockchain concepts into academic curricula.
Mr Isa Garba, Senior Programme Officer at CITAD, said the three-day training aimed to bridge the gap between academia and the wider society by aligning academic knowledge with market demands
“This programme is crucial for us because it fosters a clear partnership between academia and the wider community. While academia focuses on theories and knowledge, the market defines the skills in demand,” he said.
According to Garba, the training seeks to harmonise both academic teaching and real-world application to ensure that knowledge taught in universities addresses the needs of society and the job market.
He emphasised the relevance of fintech and blockchain in transforming a country’s financial systems, noting that the ever-evolving world of Information Technology (IT) demanded continuous learning.
“We are in an IT-driven world that moves at a fast pace. For any society to keep up with this speed and dynamism, relevant knowledge must be fully inculcated,” he added.
According to him, targeting university lecturers for the training was deliberate, as they play a vital role in disseminating knowledge to students and the broader community.
“If you share knowledge with lecturers, you are indirectly sharing it with their students and the larger society. That’s why this is a valuable partnership,” he said.
Garba said CITAD remains committed to promoting IT knowledge through strategic partnerships and programmes that empower educators and communities.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Prof. Kabiru Tahir-Hamid from the Department of Accounting, BUK, and former Dean of the Faculty, described the training as the first of its kind and highly impactful.
“The training is important, especially for its practical relevance in shaping our academic work and personal development,” he said.
Another participant, Dr Aisha Aminu, a lecturer at BUK, expressed appreciation to CITAD and the Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences for the initiative.
“Fintech and blockchain are new concepts to many of us. Although we teach e-business and e-commerce, this workshop broke down complex technical terms and brought them to our level.
“It’s a wonderful experience and we gained a lot,” she said. (NAN)
