NCS Launches N5M Scholarship Fund Ahead #NCSEnugu2014

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has  mapped out N5 million as scholarship and sponsorship fund for its members in 2014, as part of the Society’s ways of giving back to its members and support educational and research developments in Nigeria.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday ahead of its 25th National Conference, #NCSEnugu2014, Professor David Adewumi, president of NCS, said that the Society has been working on modalities for the implementation of the Fund since November 2013, adding that it has the sum N5million in its kitty for 2014 programmes.  

Aside the fund being used to provide educational scholarships and sponsorships to members to attend conferences or workshops, support for high impact researches, NCS deemed it necessary that such fund would galvanize the processes for a robust Nigeria’s knowledge-based economy.

He said, “NCS believes the fund will increase IT education and research achievements in the country and provide many who are presently excluded with the ability to seize IT education and research opportunities and fulfill their potentials”.  

Adewumi added that Nigeria should not wait for an umpteenth time in the global IT development hence the need to ensure swift implementation of policies and programmes that will give succour to individuals and organizations operating in the industry.

Moving forward, he said, NCS expects corporations of the governments, corporate institutions, and individuals to make donations that will sustain the fund hence participants at this year’s NCS conference shall be educated more on the fund’s expected benefits.

“From next year, we intend to raise more funds through advocacy groups. We are bringing it to the Nigerian society, intending to achieve a number of things through it. We expect government at different levels, corporate organizations and well-meaning Nigerians to contribute to the gesture, so we can be part of global IT expansions. The first proposal is put at N5million which we have in our kitty and only NCS members will benefit”.

On the beckoning #NCSEnugu2014, with the theme, “Building A Knowledge-Based Economy In Nigeria: The Role Of Information Technology,” the President, said that the Society has always been on the forefront of new innovative engagements and the adoption of cutting edge solutions.

“NCS is committed to facilitating the development of Digital and Internet based technologies to not only drive improvements, but to change and redirect our energy on how Nigeria is defined, organized and delivered.

“NCS builds thought leadership through emphasis on relevance and significance in using IT to enable inclusive and sustainable development. For 2014, building knowledge based economy forms bulk of NCS conference theme, in Enugu”.

Also, Mr Moses Braimah, chairman, Conference Committee of the NCS, while re-echoing the President’s remarks, said the Society shall remain committed to advancing the interests of its members, the IT-industry and profession and the Nation as a whole. 

Braimah added that critical issues that will be focused on, during the conference holding from 23rd to 25th of July in Enugu State, include; broadband access for all: Strategies and tactics; business process outsourcing; e-governance solutions: improving transparency and public sector service delivery through technology; security issues in a knowledge-based economy, training and education for the youth and IT industry in Nigeria; manpower development and income generation and harnessing innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship: opportunities for the youths.