The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Federal Polytechnic N’yak, Shendam, Plateau State, on Thursday paid a strategic visit to the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), Mr. David Daser, to explore areas of collaboration in digital skills acquisition and capacity development.

The ASUP delegation, led by its Chairman, Comrade Stephen Chinmuk, was received by the DBI President at the institute’s Corporate Headquarters in Utako, Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Comrade Chinmuk said the purpose of the engagement was to explore opportunities for collaboration between ASUP and DBI in promoting digital capacity development for academic and non-academic staff of the institution.

He stated that the union was committed to strengthening teaching, research, and professional development through enhanced digital competencies.

“This initiative is aimed at equipping our academic staff with practical digital skills that will improve their effectiveness in teaching, research, innovation, and service delivery,” he said.

He further appealed for DBI’s support through technical assistance, resource persons, training facilities, sponsorship, and other forms of partnership that would help actualise the initiative.

“We therefore seek the support and collaboration of the Digital Bridge Institute through technical assistance, resource persons, training facilities, sponsorship, or any other form of partnership that will help make this initiative a reality,” Chinmuk added.

The ASUP Chairman expressed optimism that a partnership with DBI would significantly enhance the digital capacity of members of the union and contribute to the advancement of technology-driven education in Nigeria.

He also congratulated Mr. Daser on his appointment and commended his efforts toward transforming DBI and promoting digital education in the country.

In his response, Mr. Daser commended ASUP for its commitment to advancing polytechnic education through technology and digital innovation, particularly in Plateau State.

He noted that DBI remains Nigeria’s foremost centre of excellence in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), offering courses certified by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The DBI President assured the delegation that, with the support of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the institute would collaborate with ASUP in the training and retraining of both academic and non-academic staff.

He also disclosed that Federal Polytechnic N’yak, Shendam, would be considered in future initiatives and training designed to strengthen digital skills and acquisition.

 

By: Soji-Eze Fagbemi