L-R: BB Fakae (onetime vice chancellor) with Isaac Zeb-Obipi (present vice chancellor) at the unveiling
The Rivers State University (RSU), formerly University of Science and Technology (UST), is now on the march to a smart university by a ‘connected campus’ system. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, the vice chancellor, has laid the plan on the table at an unveiling that attracted tech buffs and academic gurus including members of the Governing Council of the University, senate, management, heads of campuses, provosts, deans, directors, heads of departments, distinguished faculty staff, students, partners, Cinfores (the tech firm that builds and manages it), host communities, etc.
The Okrika-born Professor of Management said the day marked a defining moment in the history of the great institution, a day to reaffirm commitment to innovation, access, and excellence through the official launch of the RSU Digital Solutions. Saying the RSU aspired to be among the top 3 universities in Nigeria, top 20 in Africa, and top best 100 in the world, the VC said the goal is to create a connected campus that empowers every stakeholder, students, staff, sponsors, alumni, and partners.
He unveiled the 11 different pillars that form the ‘RSU Digital Initiatives System’. They include the v-Learning (a virtual learning management system where lecturers can teach, assess, and engage students virtually, while students enjoy flexible access to learning materials anytime, anywhere); FiriX workflow and document management system (which helps RSU to say goodbye to the inefficiencies of paper-based administration); CAP (Computer for All Programme that ensures that every student and staff member can own a personal computer through affordable installment plans); RSU e-Campus Aspire Mobile App (which brings RSU to your fingertips, from fee payments and course registration to result checking and notifications); and SponsorsLink which would allow sponsors, parents, and guardians to monitor their wards’ academic progress and financial obligations in real time.
Another was named as ‘RSU Innovation Hub & Creative and Innovation Academy (CIA) which he described as the beating heart of creativity and entrepreneurship at RSU. Here, students and staff would learn software development, data science, animation, product design, cybersecurity, and digital media, skills that prepare them for global opportunities.
The other is Campus-wide Internet Infrastructure, a reliable, high-speed internet which is the backbone of a digital university. This will support research, collaboration, and digital learning powered by connectivity. It will extend internet services to faculties, hostels, and staff quarters.
There is the ‘Digital Information Display System’ with digital screens across campus to ensure that information flows instantly and efficiently for announcements, events, and updates.
Others are MedixTrak for health management; the RSU Alumni Website to connect all ex-students from year one to date; and e-Payslips which handle pay advice for staff.
Zeb-Obipi said these initiatives collectively embody their vision of a smart, inclusive, convenient, fast pace and globally competitive university. He also announced free ICT training scheme for all workers of all grades to produce the human resources for a smart university.
The VC gave kudos to those who helped to make this dream a reality, especially BB Fakae, a onetime vice chancellor who initiated the ICT Dream of the then UST which Nigeria copied from.
In her welcome remarks, Idayingi Daminabo, the RSU Registrar, said the unveiling represents a bold and strategic transition into a new era defined by innovation and technology.
In his goodwill message, Fakae, renowned as one of Africa’s foremost professors of veterinary parasitology and entomology, described the day as a milestone that signifies not only progress, but also continuity, vision, and institutional maturity.
“As one who had the privilege of laying the early foundations for a digital culture in this University, I am deeply gratified to witness how those seeds have grown into a robust ecosystem of innovation.”
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the CINFORES team that built the backbone, led by Ibifuro Asawo, who said the team took one year to build the Digital Back Bone.
