Sanwo-Olu charges students to embrace technology

Says Classroom Work Inadequate For Employment

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged graduating students of the Mountain Top University (MTU), Ibafo, Ogun State, to embrace change and disruption if they intend to compete in today’s labour market.

The governor, who was the guest lecturer at the maiden convocation of MTU, stated this yesterday at the multi-purpose hall of the university. According to Sanwo-Olu, who delivered the lecture, ‘Future of Job and the World of Work: The Need for Graduates That are Globally Competitive’, the knowledge acquired in the classroom becomes obsolete in a short while; hence graduating students should adopt technology, as jobs of the future would be technology-driven.

He said: “Many of the things you learnt in university would have grown obsolete even before you complete NYSC. That’s the truth.“We must also extend this to curriculum transformation. We will not progress in the 21st century using 20th century curricula. Our young people must become comfortable with coding, robotics, 3D printing and other technologies from an early age, especially in the public school system. Regardless of what academic track our students are on, technological literacy must be a common denominator.”

According to him, globalisation has shaped the way we interpret the world we live in.“This is a word that has come to stay with us, and to shape the way we interpret the world we live in. In its simplest terms, it refers to growing breakdown of national borders. 

“Under the impact of technology, especially modern communication and transportation technologies, the world has taken on the characteristics of a ‘global village’ – with implication for the present and the future of work.”Technology, he added, has made it easier for users to find job opportunities outside their immediate environment.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Elijah Ayolabi, charged the students to be good ambassadors of the institution.His words, “What you do with the training you got is your sole responsibility. I charge you today, therefore, to remember the responsibility placed on your shoulders as the first children of MTU.”The university graduated 120 students, 22 among them bagged first class honours in various disciplines.