The Department of Physiotherapy has organized a guest lecture for students of level 200, undertaking a course titled ‘Leadership Skills’. The lecture was organized to expose students to the importance of leadership in hospitals and the different structures available in public and private hospitals.  The course facilitator Dr Ajayi-Olumide Abraham, while delivering his welcome address said leadership today, is one of the most high in-demand skills and students need to nurture it in the early days of their careers. He said leadership has so many complexities and its necessity informed his choice of an experienced guest to handle the topic.  In his lecture, the guest speaker Dr Aminu Auwalu Bala, a resident doctor at, the Department of Anaesthetics, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), said leadership is contemporarily, a must-have skill for medical practitioners. This is because of the intricacies in the health sector which adopts an excellent hierarchical system to effectively manage the general health of the populace.  He said for every leader to be successful, he or she needs to use the bottom-up and top-down communication approach to serve effectively. This is why effective leadership in the healthcare system is paramount. According to him, whether a private hospital or not, leadership is still important.  Dr Auwalu identified analytical thinking skills are always needed by leaders in the healthcare system as complex problems are bound to happen. Some of the additional skills needed to facilitate leadership in hospitals he enumerated include seeking opportunities for professional development, prioritizing communication, leading by example, delegating responsibilities, and demonstrating self-confidence, trustworthiness and accountability.  Nana Asmau Bala, a student of the Physiotherapy Department level 200, said the Programme is insightful because the expert, addressed many issues that can help us in school and after our graduation.  Dr Ajayi thanked the resource person and the students for their cooperation and attention throughout the session.     

The Faculty of Law has organized a guest lecture for the students of level 100, undertaking the courses titled ‘Introduction to Sociology and Critical Thinking Skills’. This is in line with the aim of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) to provide the best quality education for its students. In his welcome address, Dr Olumide Abraham Ajayi the facilitator of the courses, said he is beyond elated to have invited the guest speaker to speak on trends in the Discipline of Law as the students kick-start their careers. He added that the opportunity is to unveil the realities in their chosen career such that, they can be able to prepare adequately before graduation. Speaking virtually during the lecture, the guest speaker Seyi Orowosebe Esq., a principal partner at De Lex Consult Abuja, said this invite is timely as the world is swiftly transformed by technology by the day. He said it is quite imperative for students to engage in debates, presentations and group activities while in school to boost their capabilities. He emphasized that the students need to be involved in seminars and competitions, to understand newer trends and fresh perspectives in the law discipline. It is a way to showcase your talent and to utilize the opportunities available for you in school, he said. Seyi Esq. said that students need to go with the trend of social media by utilizing it as a business tool to find clients, build a network and sustain relationships that can be helpful for future engagements. It is a way to start a career early and is most relevant for employers. He also suggested that students should always opt for that internships during vacations to gain practical experience with practitioners in the field. There are numerous Civil Based Organizations (CBOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and other Non-governmental organizations that offer internship opportunities for starters.  Delivering the vote of thanks, Surayya Abubakar, a level 100 student from the Department of Law, said the students are thankful for the opportunity given to them by the university. They now understand the relevance of building online portfolios and beneficial relationships. Another student, Halima Wachiko, a level 100 student studying Law, said the session was quite interesting and highly enlightening. We hope to be making good use of the lecture that was delivered, she said.  

The DEANs of faculties, the Director of Academic Support Service (DASS), and the Student Service Department (SSD) recently organized a professional Skill Development Programme (PSDP) Spring Semester 2023, for students at Skyline University Nigeria (SUN). The Programme is in line with current rapid development and demand for efficient skills at workplaces around the world. The PSDP delivered highly distinctive courses, developed to equip students with the right information and skills to fit into the world of work after graduation. The participants are from levels 1, 2 and 4. Some important issues highlighted by the different sessions include building and maintaining a network, searching for jobs, curriculum vitae writing, basic life etiquette, communication skills, and self-assessment using Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT Analysis). According to Ms Sarada Maganti, the Director of Academic Support Service (DASS), the Programme is educative, informative and interestingly interactive to engage students as they set their future goals. PSDP helps students by giving them insights and practical cases outside classroom experiences. Some students who participated in the Programme stated that the session is a rare opportunity to discover the real challenges of future workplaces and how to confront them. In the words of Hafsat Dahiru, a level 200 student from the Department of International Relations, the Programme is highly educative and interactive. Another student from the Department of Mass Communication level 200, Muhsin Muhammad explained that he has been able to discover how to build relationships and networks that can be beneficial to his vision of becoming a professional motion designer. Also, Amina Mukhtar, a final-year student from the Department of Mass Communication stated that the sessions are vital in defining goals, career exploration, and goal setting as she prepares to delve into workplace life after graduation. Faculty members that facilitated the session cut across all the faculties at SUN – Dr A. Senthil Kumar, Dr Ajayi Olumide, Dr Saminu Umar and Dr Vijay Arputha among others.    

The Department of International Relations at Skyline University Nigeria has launched the Skyline University International Model of United Nations (SUIMUN) for students within the discipline and others studying social science courses. This is in a bid to train the students on the demands of their career path and how they can excel after graduation. In the opening remarks, Prof. Ajith Kumar V.V, the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria expressed his happiness that the model has come to life and it is a result of so much calculated efforts and careful planning. He said the initiative is a great opportunity for students to develop their skills in presentation, critical thinking and public speaking. He added that students should be proud of the moment as one they would cherish throughout their entire lives. While congratulating the Head of the Department of International Relations Mr.Farid Illo, the Vice-Chancellor said the university is proud to attain yet another milestone with his careful coordination and dedication. I know, it was not an easy task for you, Mr Farid, he said. In his virtual speech, Mr Ronald Kayanja, the Director of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nigeria started by congratulating SUN for this achievement. He said the work of the United Nations (UN) cuts across our daily activities – economics, agriculture, health, peace and security among others. He urged students to cull from the four reasons why the UN was formed which include global peace and security and enabling harmonious relations among nations. The UN will be happy to support the initiative in the best possible way and he hopes SUIMUN can make important contributions in global discourses, he said. In a similar remark Dr Seyi Soremekun, the National Information Officer of UNIC said, the United Nations is a gigantic pillar in the development of nations as it actively supports countries to attain globally set targets – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He states that SUIMUN is a great way for students to have a first-hand experience outside class lessons. The HOD on his part said he is beyond elated that the university supported the initiative fully until its realization. He then challenged the students to unveil and upgrade their speaking skills as SUIMUN entails debates, negotiations and decision-making. He hopes the initiative will have an impact that would be felt globally. The Dean of the School of Arts, Management and Social Science (SAMSS) Dr Sudha Mavuri and Director of Academic Support Services (DASS) Sarada Maganti, who were all present at the event advised the students to maximally utilize the opportunity presented to them.      

As part of their course requirements, students from the Department of Physiotherapy conducted a session for security personnel on the effects of Hypertension/High Blood Pressure. The seminar focused on educating the security personnel on the risks of contracting the disease and how they can be minimized. During her presentation, Aisha Kabir Shehu, a level 200 student from the Department of Physiotherapy highlighted exercise, lack of sleep, pregnancy in women, menopause stage in women and obesity as some of the major causes of High Blood Pressure that are recorded today.   She added that Age and Gender are also determinants of hypertension. As individual ages, he or she is more prone to the risks of increased blood pressure which is a natural sign of growth, she said. On the part of gender, she highlighted that women are more vulnerable to the risks of contracting the disease as they tend to deal with a lot of emotional challenges as homemakers. Other less worrisome causes of high blood pressure include excitement, anxiety and exercise. She said these conditions are normal psychological activities in the human body that increases the work of the brain and heart thereby increasing the heart rate and blood pressure. On his part, Auwal Sadiq Abdullahi, who is also from the same department level 200 said, he learnt a lot about leadership and organization. He expressed his satisfaction as the security personnel were attentive throughout the session and asked many questions regarding the topic discussed. One of the participants Ciroma Gana said that he thoroughly enjoyed the session. He’s more conscious of his health now and has the right information to minimize the risks of contracting HBP. The blood pressure of the security staff were measured at the end of the session.

The Department of Mass Communication of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN), held a guest lecture on the importance of educational broadcasting Programmes for level 400 students. The lecture is part of the innovative methods of teaching incorporated by the university to expose students to career-related challenges and opportunities and learn from the experiences of professionals. The course facilitator Dr Haruna Isma’il stated that resource persons always have a first-hand experience with industry-related opportunities and challenges. Such individuals are very vital in motivating students to prepare adequately for future demands. While delivering his lecture, Mr Balarable Danlami said educational Programmes are significant in bridging the increasing knowledge gap that currently exists. He explained that educational Programmes are supported and sponsored by organizations like World Bank, UNICEF, KALMA and State Governments among other stakeholders to facilitate easy learning at basic levels.   Mr Danlami said it is advisable for students pursuing a career in broadcast journalism to prioritize educational broadcasting to speed up the development process in the country. He noted that educational Programmes have a huge career prospect in reference to the development of the tech industry. Some of the key priorities of educational broadcasting he pointed out include duration, sponsors, choice of language, speed of communication and expertise. They serve as the building blocks of effective message delivery, he added. One of the students who attended the lecture, Khadija Isa Gerawa, said she learnt a lot from the experiences shared by Mr Balarabe. She now understands some of the challenges and impact of educational radio Programmes on the development of communities. In his words, Kamal Danladi, also a student of level 400 said it is indeed a rare opportunity for them to be educated by a professional. He hopes to benefit from such lectures in the future.

The management of Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) received the second batch of the National Universities Commission (NUC) team for its ongoing resource verification for post-graduate Programmes. This is in line with the institution’s plan to expand in providing quality education services.  Prof Ajith Kumar V.V., the Vice-Chancellor of Skyline University Nigeria said that commencing post-graduate Programmes is indeed a great milestone every university wishes to attain during its lifetime. He applauded the NUC team for supporting SUN in its journey to realizing its vision.  On his part, Prof Sule Magaji, a professor of Economics from the University of Abuja and the team lead of the resource verification, thanked SUN for its hospitality and kind gestures. He then congratulated the Vice-chancellor for taking the university to greater heights, especially in the aspect of bridging the existing digital divide as the world develops rapidly.  The NUC team toured the university campus while verifying the available resources like lecture halls, conference rooms, laboratories, the library, and e-resources among other facilities. The team assessed the resources available for Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (P.hD.) courses in Economics, Forensic Accounting, Microbiology, Entrepreneurship, etc.