The Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Age Abdulkareem, has advised the staff and students of institution to develop positive attitude toward the learning and usage of sign language to improve interpersonal relationships in the community.
Abdulkareem gave the advice at the opening of a workshop on sign language organised by the Centre for Supportive Services for the Deaf (CSSD).
According to the Vice Chancellor, sign language is an international language that enables the signers ample opportunity to communicate effectively with people across the world.
Abdulkareem advised members of the university community to endeavour to learn the culture of the deaf students in the community to break the communication barrier.
The vice-chancellor restated his administration’s determination to assist the CSSD, saying this explained why he gladly approved the request of six additional signers for employment recently.
He also said that the remarkable achievements of the CSSD informed the visit of an official delegation from Gallaudet University, Washington D. C., U.S.A., to the institution recently, with a mission to work out a collaborative agreement with the centre.
The VC urged the Department of Computer Science to carry out research on how a computer can translate the sign language into the intended word for easy and smooth communication.
In her remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Prof. Sidikat Yetunde Ijaiya, appreciated the VC for his relentless support to the centre.
She appealed to staff and students to avail themselves of the opportunity the training would offer them.
The Dean, Faculty of Education, who was represented on the occasion by Dr Olufunmi Olaitan, the Head of the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education, described the training as a window of opportunity for participants to learn sign language.
Earlier, the Director of the Centre, Dr Ganiyu Bello, lauded Adulkareem for the swift approval of additional six signers for the centre.
He solicited further support in the areas of provision of permanent structure, utility vehicle, maintenance of equipment and prompt release of the approved budget for the CSSD.
Bello said that the centre had commenced free sign language training at the Faculty of Education.
In her lecture, an Audiologist from the centre, Ms Abiola Ojelabi, warned students and staff to desist from exposing themselves to loud noise or constant use of ear phones, saying this could cause hearing impairment.
The workshop also featured practical training on sign language.
…gets nomination for 2018 tertiary institution website award
The University of Ilorin, has been nominated by the Nigeria Internet Registration Award (NIRA) in the 2018 “Best Tertiary Institution website/portal” Category.
Registrar of the university, Dr. Folaranmi Olowoleni, disclosed this recently, adding that the nomination was to select the tertiary institution with the best edu.ng website/portal based on the quality of their websites.
She added that the selection would look at the level of local content, ease of use, relevance for delivery of educational services and how dynamic the website.
She explained that the university would be competing with other nominees in this category, where winner would be determined by the number of votes received.
She, therefore, called on clients, customers and stakeholders including students and staff to acknowledge the achievements of the institution by voting it through the voting mechanism available online at www.nira.org.ng/ngawards.
She revealed that the voting had been declared open since Thursday, May 10, 2018 and that it would close by midnight on Friday, June 22, 2018.
