Ahmadu Bello University SCR and Inauguration Ceremony

Inauguration Ceremony of the SCR at Ahmadu Bello University

The inauguration ceremony marked the successful completion of Ahmadu Bello University's SCR. Prof. Muhammed Bashir Mu'azu, Head of the Department of Computer Engineering at ABU, introduced the equipment and functions of the SCR and the history of collaboration between ABU and UNESCO-ICHEI. Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice Chancellor of ABU, expressed his gratitude to UNESCO-ICHEI and CreateView and highlighted the importance of the partnership between ABU and UNESCO-ICHEI. He said that UNESCO-ICHEI has supported ABU's role as a national capacity building centre and he looked forward to working with the UNESCO-ICHEI to drive the digital transformation of higher education in Nigeria.

Prof. Ming Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, noted that the SCR project has utilised advanced educational equipment and technology to provide much-needed support to global partner HEIs during the challenging time of COVID-19, and has set an example of multi-stakeholder collaboration between universities, the private sector and international organisations. He hopes that the SCR at Ahmadu Bello University will provide teachers and learners with powerful hardware and software facilities to promote technology-driven teaching and learning. He stressed that UNESCO-ICHEI highly values its partnership with ABU and the Nigerian higher education sector, and will continue to provide technical support, system upgrade and capacity building for ABU's SCR to support Nigeria's digital transformation and drive a future of equitable and quality digital higher education .

Mr. Yu Zhang, Chairman of CreateView Education Technology Co.,Ltd., recalled the successful delivery of SCR equipment facing numerous challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expressed his gratitude for UNESCO-ICHEI's coordination and Ahmadu Bello University's cooperation throughout the project. He reiterated CreateView's mission of "building a world of equitable education through innovation" and expressed his hope that CreateView's advanced teaching equipment would support Ahmadu Bello University's education and teaching, contributing to the digital transformation of higher education and the promotion of education equity. Under the guidance of UNESCO-ICHEI, CreateView will continue to support the Belt and Road Initiative, to strengthen exchanges with Ahmadu Bello University, and to promote the use of technology to improve education quality and empower the cultivation of innovative talents.

Mr. Xuda Li, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, congratulated the successful inauguration of the first SCR in Nigeria and acknowledged the significant contribution of UNESCO-ICHEI, CreateView and Huawei to China-Nigeria relations. He mentioned that 2022 marks the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Nigeria, and the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria will continue to work with Ahmadu Bello University for further cooperation in higher education in Nigeria.

Address by Mr. Xuda Li, Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria

H.E. Ahmadu Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, Nigeria, congratulated UNESCO-ICHEI and CreateView for their contribution to the SCR project and highlighted the importance of the SCR's equipment to the development of higher education in Nigeria during and beyond the COVID-19 era. He expressed hopes that UNESCO-ICHEI and Ahmadu Bello University would continue to cooperate for the development of higher education in Nigeria. H.E. Ahmadu Nuhu Bamalli also presented a certificate of appreciation to Mr Hassan Adeel Shehzad for his outstanding contribution in facilitating the collaboration between Ahmadu Bello University，UNESCO-ICHEI, CreateView and the Southern University of Science and Technology.