Education

WAEC DIGITALISES CERTIFICATES TO ELIMINATE FRAUD

Published

11 months ago

October 21, 2022

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has said its new digital certificate will eliminate fraud.

WAEC’S Head of National Office (HNO), Mr. Patrick Areghan, announced this yesterday in Lagos at the launch of the council’s digital certificate platform.

The HNO said the certificate is the electronic version of the physical paper certificate with special focus on the elimination of fraud and easy accessibility.

Institutions and organisations can confirm with ease the reliability and authenticity of individuals’ certificates on the digital certificate platform. This eliminates fraud and will definitely send fakers out of the market. It has many security doors that make it impossible to hack,” he said.

Areghan assured all that as from December 2022, certificates for West African Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) will be available on the council’s digital platform.

The HNO said from next year, candidates no longer have to wait for months before accessing their certificates as they will be available on the platform immediately after the release of results.

He added that the development is in line with the council’s continuous efforts at meeting global needs by using cutting-edge technology to improve candidates’ experience.

Areghan said the digital certificate became imperative because the process of receiving, retrieving, sharing, verifying or confirming academic certificates was rather cumbersome, moribund and costly.

The HNO said it costs N7,500 to access the digital certificate; N5,000 for confirmation and N3,500 to share.

He said: “The process of receiving, retrieving, sharing, verifying or confirming academic certificates is rather cumbersome and moribund. The whole process is costly and could be frustrating. The only answer can be found in digital certificates.”

The HNO explained that the digital certificate platform, currently available to those who sat the WASSCE as far back as 1999 till date, would enable over 30 million certificate holders to access and share the original copies of their certificates anywhere in the world.

Areghan said individuals can now share their digital certificates from a WAEC source instantly, regardless of the person’s location with instant verification and credibility.

He said council’s new verification and confirmation process eliminates institutional administrative delays and backlog of requests, adding that it also provides instant verification and credibility.

The HNO said universities, institutions and organisations can now enjoy a seamless, secure and fast confirmation process with the digital platform.

The platform also allows for bulk confirmation of certificates at once. This saves valuable administrative costs and time,” he added.

Areghan said the certificate platform is available via www.waec.org and can be accessed on mobile and web platforms.

Education

WAEC SET TO INTRODUCE CBT FOR WASSCE

Published

10 hours ago

September 23, 2023

Eniola sanni

The West African Examinations Council says plans to introduce the Computer Based Test mode in the administration of its examinations are at an advanced stage.

The Head of National Office, Mr Patrick Areghan, gave the hint in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos.

Areghan was speaking against the backdrop of notable achievements and advancements of the council under his watch, as he prepared to bow out of office on Oct. 1.

He would be bowing out after completing his three-year tenure.

Areghan said that introducing the CBT mode of administrating some of the council’s examinations had been part of his vision for the body.

”We have already started something in terms of CBT examination. We have gone far with our planning and all of that, even in the sub-region, the registrar to the council is also doing something.

“But this is not as easy as some people will think. This is because we ask ourselves, how do we conduct CBT for practicals and essay papers?

“We can only readily do that in the case of objective questions. But so many people will not see it from that angle. They argue that some others are doing it, so why can’t WAEC do the same?

“Now, no one even talks about energy; how many schools are exposed to computer literacy? How many have computer facilities and how many have electricity to run these things?

“Even where you have all these things on the ground, how do you handle the issue of theory and practical papers? So, these are the issues, but that is what I want the council to do very shortly.

“We should be able to conduct CBT examinations, even if it means starting with the objective questions,” he said.

The outgoing WAEC boss noted that already, the council had concluded introducing the administration of its examination using the CBT platform under his watch, in no distant time, starting with the objective questions and later theory and practicals.

“But you can still be sure that not all schools will be ready. Maybe we can have a segregated market. Those who cannot afford the CBT will go for the pencil and paper mode.

“So, I would like to see WAEC in that light,” he said.

Areghan said aside from the introduction of the CBT, he would also like to see all the operations of the council fully digitalised shortly.

He noted that almost every section of the council had been digitalised under his watch.

I have almost digitalised everywhere now. Talk of certificate, checking of results verification of results and more.

“I will live to see more massive deployment of technology so that the vision of the council can change from just being a world-class examination body to a technology-driven examination body.

“I also want WAEC to be more visible on the international stage. I want to see, through the cooperation of the sub-region, how we can take WAEC overseas, that is, how Nigerian children in the diaspora can sit for WASSCE overseas.

That, again, is what I want WAEC to do very shortly. That is one thing I wanted to do under my watch, but, again like I said, it needs the cooperation of the sub-region, not just Nigeria, to take WASSCE overseas.

“I also want to see its digital certificate that we have successfully launched in Nigeria replicated in the entire sub-region, so that any candidate that has taken WASSCE, can be in any part of the world to access the digital certificate; that is a legacy.

For instance, if your certificate gets missing, soaked, destroyed by fire and so on, with one touch on the bottom, it appears.

“For me, this is a great legacy,” the WAEC boss stated.

He also stated that the council’s Digital Security Printing Press is another milestone achievement under his watch.

According to him, after 71 years of the council’s existence, the introduction of the digital security printing press is a worthy legacy.

This is alongside other internal ones, such as the Staff Bus scheme, meant to cushion the effect of high transportation fares, occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal, he said.

“We are going to do more to motivate staff. I am counting on my successor to follow suit, being a very committed and intelligent person. It is my prayer that he achieves more than me,” he stated.

Speaking on his greatest achievement, Areghan highlighted the successful conduct of examinations, release of results within stipulated time and printing and release of certificates to deserving candidates as key.

“That is my greatest achievement. That is because when you work in the council and you fail to conduct any examination, no matter the other levels of achievements, you have failed.

So, I give God all the glory that I have been able to conduct all the examinations, even in the COVID-19 years, from 2020 to 2023,” the outgoing council boss told NAN.

NAN

Education

UNIVERSITY OF JOS (UNIJOS) RELEASES APPROVED UNDERGRADUATE SCHOOL CHARGES, EXTEND PAYMENT DEADLINE DATE

Published

1 day ago

September 22, 2023

Eniola sanni

This is to inform Students of the University of Jos, Parents and members of the public that the University Administration has approved a further revision in the School Charges structure payable by Undergraduate Students of the institution from the 2022/2023 Academic Session. The University Administration approved a reduction in the charges following a meeting with the expanded Students Union Government Executives of the University.

In view of its commitment to carry all stakeholders along following the University’s earlier decision to review its School Charges structure, the University Administration has made additional concessions in response to its engagement with the Students representatives.

UNIJOS revised undergraduate school charges and extension of payment deadline

Some of the key decisions resulting from the interaction between the University Administration and the Students representatives include the following:

1. The main charges for Returning Students who are not offering GST courses have been reduced from N150,000.00 to N95,000.00 while N100,000.00 will be paid by Returning Students offering GST courses.

2. Fresh Students will now pay N130,000.00, down from the initial charge of N180,000.00.

3. Laboratory/Studio/Workshop charges are now set at N25,000.00 for Students who exclusively use these facilities down from N30,000.00.

4. The University Administration has also approved for Instalment payments to be introduced as follows:

– All Returning Students not using laboratory/studio/workshop facilities and not offering GST courses are to pay N95,000.00 as the 1st instalment and N10,000.00 as the 2nd instalment.

– All Returning Students not using laboratory/studio/workshop facilities but who offer GST courses are to pay N100,000.00 as the 1st instalment and N10,000.00 as the 2nd instalment.

– All Returning Students without GST courses but who use laboratory/studio/workshop facilities are to pay N95,000.00 as the 1st instalment and N35,000.00 as the 2nd instalment.

– All Returning Students who use laboratory/studio/workshop facilities and offer GST courses are to pay N100,000.00 as the 1st instalment and N35,000.00 as the 2nd instalment.

– New Students not using laboratory/studio/workshop facilities but who offer GST courses are to pay N130,000.00 as the 1st instalment and N10,000.00 as the 2nd instalment.

– New Students who will use laboratory/studio/workshop facilities and who offer GST courses are to pay N130,000.00 as the 1st instalment and N35,000.00 as the 2nd instalment.

5. Similarly, Two percent (2%) of the amount payable by all Students will be dedicated to assisting indigent Students, with 50% being channeled towards providing scholarships for indigent Students and the other 50% to be utilized for the expansion of the University’s Work-Study programme.

6. Spilled over Students (having one Semester left to complete their studies) will be required to pay only 50% of the reviewed charges.

7. The deadline for the registration exercise has been extended by a further 2 weeks. The new deadline is now 8th October, 2023.

8. Two of the Students leaders, the SUG President and 1 nominee of the Hall Governors, will serve as members of the Hostels Maintenance Committee.

In light of the above decisions, the University Administration advises all Students and Parents to take note of the revised charges and adhere to the new payment and registration guidelines. All Students should also note that 1st Semester lectures for the 2022/2023 Academic Session have since commenced.

Furthermore, the University Administration has approved the re-opening of the Naraguta, Zion, and Postgraduate hostels from Friday, 22nd September, 2023, for Students interested in seeking accommodation on campus. However, Abuja and Village hostels will remain closed until minor repairs are completed.

The University of Jos remains focused on providing an excellent learning experience and supporting its Students in achieving their academic and career goals. The University Administration is, therefore, committed to being transparent and accountable in the management of the University’s resources as it continues to strengthen areas of common interest and deepen partnership with the Students and other stakeholders.

TABLE OF REVIEWED CHARGES FOR 2022/2023 ACADEMIC SESSION

S/NO.	VARIABLES	INTALMENTS	AMOUNT (N)
1.	Returning Students (Without GST/ Lab/Studio/Workshop)	First Installment Second Instalment TOTAL	95,000.00 10,000.00 105,000.00
2.	Returning Students (With GST, without Lab/Studio/Workshop)	First Installment Second Instalment TOTAL	100,000.00 10,000.00 110,000.00
3.	Returning Students (Without GST, with Lab/Studio/Workshop	First Installment Second Instalment TOTAL	95,000.00 35,000.00 130,000.00
4.	Returning Students (With GST/Lab/Studio/Workshop	First Installment Second Instalment TOTAL	100,000.00 35,000.00 135,000.00
5.	New Students (With GST and Without Lab/Studio/Workshop	First Installment Second Instalment TOTAL	130,000.00 10,000.00 140,000.00
6.	New Students (With GST/Lab/Studio/Workshop	First Installment Second Instalment TOTAL	130,000.00 35,000.00 165,000.00

Education

UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS (UNILAG) EXTENDS DIRECT ENTRY REGISTRATION DEADLINE

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2023

Eniola sanni

The 2023/2024 Direct Entry online registration exercise earlier scheduled to end on Friday, September 22, 2023, has been extended to Friday, September 29, 2023.

For further clarifications, send an email to admissions@unilag.edu.ng and/or call the following phone numbers: 09053006772, 08027953216, and 08141656802