The Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, (MOUAU), Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe has enjoined stakeholders in the education industry to prudently utilize available resources at their disposal to achieve much despite the low budgetary allocations to education in Nigeria. Prof Iwe made this declaration, yesterday, in his opening remarks at the 23rd Annual National Conference of Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria (ASSEREN) being hosted by Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike.
Speaking further, Prof. Madu Iwe, described the choice of the theme of the conference, ‘Technology-Driven Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Nigeria’ as apt, considering the innovative and practical-oriented learning activities that technology offers in the Nigerian society. He challenged ASSEREN to be involved in technology-driven teaching, learning as well as assessment, to surmount the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria’s education sector.
In his address, the President of ASSEREN, Professor Bamidele A. Faleye acknowledged the efforts of the likes of Dr. D. K. Omole of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council in growing the association, leading to its present name, Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria, ASSEREN. According to him, the association is now strong enough to drive educational reforms in the country.
In her paper presentation titled, ‘An Overview of Teaching, Learning and Assessment’, Dr. (Mrs.) Charity Okoronkwo emphasized that critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication, media and technology literacy are very essential in technology-driven teaching, learning and assessment in the 21st century. She encouraged educators and teachers to think critically and identify tools and approaches that would be effective in Nigerian classrooms.
Similarly, the keynote speaker, Prof. F. E. Onah of the Faculty of Education, Imo State University, Owerri, in his presentation, ‘Place Of Technology In The 21st Century Assessment In Nigerian Education Sector’, reiterated that technology has become indispensable in both education and the world of work, urging all evaluation bodies and schools in the country to show more commitment in the adoption of ICT.
The Dean, College of Education in MOUAU, and ASSEREN 2021 Local Organizing Committee Chairperson, Professor U. N. Akanwa, in her address, expressed gratitude to the VC and all members of management for the support the University gave ASSEREN to host the conference. She maintained that ASSEREN as a recognized body of professionals has the vision to promote scholarship and best practices in educational research.
The conference attracted the University’s principal officers, staff and ASSEREN members drawn from across different higher institutions in the country.