By MUSTAPHA YAURI

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has approved establishment of a Centre of Excellence at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to strengthen capacity building in the telecommunications sector.

Malam Auwal Umar, the Director, Public Affairs Directorate of ABU, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Zaria.

According to him, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, announced the development at the 526th (Regular) Meeting of Senate of ABU.

Umar quoted the vice-chancellor as saying that the university was in receipt of the letter conveying the approval, which was signed by the NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Umar Danbatta.

He said the centre would provide training, upskilling and reskilling opportunities in the telecommunications sector.

Furthermore, Umar added that the centre would be required to support the commission’s mandate of producing locally made equipment and materials for the development of telecommunications sector.

He said that the centre was expected to also provide adequate research atmosphere, establish and carry out researches that would produce policies and provide patent solutions for both the telecoms industry and regulators.

“Other expected activities of the Centre include development of courses that will bridge the gap in key ICT, which include Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Cybersecurity, Connectivity Technologies, among others.

“The Centre is also expected to have strong collaboration with the telecommunication sector in order to understand the needs of the sector to carry out productive research and capacity building activities.

“The sustainability plan of the Centre, according to the letter, must be developed and submitted to the Commission to serve as one of the measurements of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs),” Umar said.

He added that the terms of offer for the establishment of the Centre would be rendered in line with professional, academic standards and international best practices. (NAN)

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