Posted by By Jonah Iboma on
The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria is to introduce a professional examination programme similar to what is being offered by other professional bodies in the country.
The Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria is to introduce a professional examination programme similar to what is being offered by other professional bodies in the country.
The programme, called, 'Computer Professional Examination," is to be offered in various stages to individuals depending on their skills and academic qualifications with highest level being equivalent to a university degree.
According to the Registrar of CPN, Mr. Sikiru Shehu, every stage of the examination has a corresponding recognition in the country's educational system as approved by the Federal Ministry of Education.
He added that the introduction of the programme had become necessary in view of the fact that computer education had become compulsory like mathematics and English language.
He said a professional programme of the nature had to be introduced in order to offer students, who were unable to immediately meet standards for university education, a window to acquire knowledge and improve their lot rather than the current system that almost excluded them.
He said, 'The examination is an an ideal opportunity for people to improve on their knowdge and skills, add value and also enhance their carrier prospects. The examination has various entries and exits.
CPN was established by Decree No. 49 of 1995, to control and supervision of the computing profession in the country.
Among some of its duties include the determination of what standards of knowledge and skills are to be attained by persons seeking to become members of the computing profession and improve those standards from time to time as circumstances may permit
Shehu said the programme was not entirely an examination but that certain problems in the past necessitated its being stopped and repackaged.
He said, 'The examination is not entirely new. The examination has been ongoing for sometime but had to be suspended for logistic reasons.
'The examination has now been repackaged to reflect the challenges of the century, make the graduates more industry-ready, immediately employable and globally competitive."
He explained that CPE was much better than the certification programmes offered by computer schools in the country, which were specific to the use of certain applications only.
According to him, CPE will not only capture such programme, but give opportunities for participants to become true computer professionals with knowledge in various areas.
He said, 'The window that CPN is offering individuals today is similar to that offered by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria some years ago. What we are trying to do has a serious link with the Millennium Development Goals."
He said a publicity campaign had already commence and the programme was already well-publicised in the Eastern part of Nigeria and that partnership with various corporate bodies was also in the works. Among institutions that have signed on to the scheme are the four Monotechnics in Ogun State.