IT firm taps Nigeria growing students’ population to bridge knowledge gap

Aptech Learning, an information technology (IT) training institute is tapping into Nigeria’s growing students’ population to bridge the knowledge gap in the digital space and other related sectors.

Accordingly, Aptech is bridging the knowledge gap through a strategic partnership with Middlesex University, London, and thereby creating an opportunity for over 300 Nigerian students from Aptech to obtain a UK degree from Middlesex University yearly.

“So, as we know that Nigeria or whole of Africa is an outbound market and most of the students like to go out of Africa, study abroad in the western countries and come back home with a graduate degree or a master’s degree,” Neha Koli, regional head – Africa, Aptech, said during the 16th edition of Aptech Career Quest held in association with Middlesex University London & Middlesex University Dubai in Ikeja.

She said further that the strategic partnership opens doors of opportunity to the students to study abroad, and also give back to their immediate society. According to her, Aptech as an institution believes in giving back to the society, hence the reason it offers two scholarships per center in Nigeria.

She disclosed further that two students from Aptech’s Maryland and Ajao centres, both on the mainland, were awarded 16 million worth of scholarship each. “So, we give two scholarships each for students, for every center whoever wants to join Aptech. And this time we are giving a scholarship worth N544 million to the students to study in Middlesex University, London,” Koli said.

According to her, Aptech Learning currently has a student strength of 7 million across the globe and has been training about 4000 students in Nigeria every year in the past 25 years. She said further that the partnership between Aptech and Middlesex University helps facilitate students’ admission annually. “But, I can tell you every year from Nigeria there are a minimum of 50 students that go to this university.”

Rakesh Ram, partnership and outreach manager, Middlesex University, Dubai, said the partnership is an opportunity for Nigerian students to take advantage of Dubai’s booming economy.

Read also: Aptech offers 50% scholarship to Nigerian students seeking UK education

According to him, Middlesex University ensures that students get quality education, and are exposed to all necessary support systems to ease their stay in Dubai. “Our aim as an international university is to ensure students are feeling at home, away from home. So, students get a holistic approach and are surrounded by a lot of help and support that they get at the university,” he said.

Ram said further that the university has an employability department to help students access all needed skills for job placement in Dubai. He said that the university invites international partners on campus to speak to students about the latest trends in CV writing, and how to find a job.

“We of course don’t promise a job, but we can give students all the tools they need, so that they are employable. We teach them how to write a CV, we teach them how to speak in an interview, and how to groom themselves,” he said.