As part of the institution’s commitment towards boosting Igbo indigenous science and technology, the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) is pioneering the development of a curriculum for the teaching and learning of science in Igbo language.
The vice chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone told newsmen yesterday in his office that the institution is partnering with an Igbo language and culture promotion group, Odinala Cultural Heritage Foundation (OCHIE) to execute the project.
He said the university has the capacity to achieve the project saying that in addition to having erudite scholars who will midwife appropriate curriculum for teaching of science in Igbo language, the institution will pioneer the teaching and learning and assured that it will cascade to primary and secondary schools, as well as, other higher institutions.
Prof. Esimone said the OCHIE Igbo innovation on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is coming at the right time when Ndi Igbo need to define the place of the Igbo language in the overall advancement of a nation.
The VC said he has the philosophy which is based in experience that no nation can advance scientifically or technologically expect their mode of instruction is done in their own indigenous language. “ All over the world, the development in China, India, Europe and other African countries that have advanced check very well, the mode of Instruction is in their local language, as they don’t need to experience the stress of translating from any other language to their local language.”
He said Igbo should not be an exception, as Igbo as a language is ancient, but it’s very powerful. He therefore stressed that if Igbo as a tribe follow what others have done by introducing STEM in their educational curriculum, it will go a long way to advance their intellectual capabilities. He said it’s unfortunate that we are at the level when people define literacy as being able to speak English, French or Italian, thereby negating their local languages. He described this trend as a very wrong foundation.
He maintained that UNIZIK is very proud to be associated with the STEM Project in partnership with OCHIE Igbo organization, for its conceptualisation and promised to do everything to support its development towards establishing a basic framework for its take off, as it’s on record that UNIZIK is the first university in the country to adopt the use of Igbo language as one of the general study courses which in turn supports the STEM Project , so that our culture will not be lost.
The executive director of OCHIE emphasised that his organisation is proud that the UNIZIK authorities accepted to pioneer the STEM project, and, expressed great optimism that the project will not only promote indigenous Igbo science and technology, but, will also promote Igbo cultural values, and, the language.
Various sub-committees for the implementation of the STEM project, especially the curriculum development committee headed by a scholar of Curriculum in UNIZIK, Prof Lilian Akudolu will be inaugurated at the university today (Friday).
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