BTU lecturers, students undergo training in digital tools use

As part of efforts to improve teaching and learning, lecturers and students of the Bolgatanga Technical University (BTU) have benefitted from a day’s intensive training in the use of digital tools.

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

The training, which formed part of the project dubbed, “Addressing digital literacy skills gap among BTU staff and students” is aimed at improving the knowledge gap in the application of digital tools in lecture delivery.

Digital literacy

Speaking to the participants during separate training workshops, the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the BTU, Professor Peter Osei Boamah, said the acquisition of digital literacy and technological skills was very critical for personal, educational and professional development.

He stressed that as a Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) institution, the BTU cannot downplay the importance of digital literacy and technological skills, saying “I urge the teaching staff to use the knowledge acquired to improve upon lecture delivery towards achieving the university’s mandate”.

Prof. Boamah added that as a technical university, the BTU had been charged with the mandate to provide national skills development in engineering, applied arts, sciences and technology, as well as technical and vocational training. 

Digital age

The Project Lead, Professor Daniel Azerikatoa Ayoung, said in today’s digital age, access to technology and digital skills has become essential for both internal and external organisational activities for socio-economic development.

He mentioned that one of the primary objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four is to increase the proportion of the global population with at least a basic level of digital literacy competency.

Based upon this, Prof. Ayoung, who is also the University’s Librarian, indicated that the BTU was striving to increase its efforts to improve digital skills and knowledge among its staff and students to ensure significant organisational efficiency.

Other speakers

For his part, the Training Coordinator, Wasiu Alabi Amidu, stated that the students, particularly lacked digital literacy skills and knowledge in digital entrepreneurship and online business development.

About 100 students were trained in digital technologies to promote and market their brands to connect with potential customers. Additionally, they received training in digital communication tools needed to facilitate interactions, collaborations and sharing of information between individuals and organisations.

Furthermore, they benefited from digital inventory management to be able to track stock levels, sales, digital financial literacy skills, cyber-attacks among others.

The lecturers were taught how to effectively use PowerPoint presentations in their delivery, as well as how to use various digital tools to research to enhance academic work.

In a remark, the University’s Quality Assurance Officer, Emmanuel Azure, expressed delight in the project’s goal to achieve gender parity in digital skills within the university community.

 Writer’s email; gilbert.agbey@graphic.com.gh