Information and communications technology (ICT) and academic excellence at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State

Abstract

There is a global realization of the importance of technology in driving modernization, change, and development. The adoption of technology, particularly information communication telecommunication (ICT) has permeated almost every sphere of modern society, including the educational sector. While some universities in Nigeria have made inroads in the deployment and adoption of ICT for teaching and learning, others are lagging. However, efforts at the deployment and adoption of ICT and digitizing its operations in teaching and learning seem to be at an appreciable level at the Federal University Wukari, Taraba State. Hence, this study assesses the impact of ICT on achieving academic excellence at the Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State. Specifically, the study examines the appreciation of the use of technology by both staff and students, its availability and impact on qualitative teaching and learning and the academic performance of students in the university. The study used both qualitative and quantitative data collected from the institution. The quantitative data were presented and analyzed in tables, frequency counts and percentages. The Chi-Square (X2) was adopted to statistically test the postulated hypotheses. The quantitative data were explained in the content. The study revealed that the adoption of ICT in the process of teaching and learning has enhanced academic excellence at Federal University Wukari. The paper recommends amongst others that the school should partner with ICT companies to provide ICT facilities like Computers, and projectors among others, to the staff and students at a subsidized rate. The cost should be infused into the tuition fees of the students and deducted from the salaries of the staff on an installment basis. Also, the required facilities, especially, power, that will enhance the use of these ICT in the University should be provided by the university management.