Practical education key to today’s learning —UNILORIN don

A University of Ilorin lecturer has stressed the need to bridge the gap between academic studies and practical abilities among Nigeria university students for their future opportunities.

Speaking at the third edition of Fotoclique Photography Exhibition of the Mass Communication students of the univesrsity, themed: ‘The Perspectives,’ a photo journalism lecturer, Dr Khadijat Kadiri, said that “practical education is key to today’s learning.”

“Over the last few years, one of the key significant talking points about today’s graduates in the work place is their inability to properly function at their places of employment.

“There seems to be a huge stigma surrounding young people arriving into new jobs; and while many have questioned why, one very obvious reason is that they are simply not used to working.

“With the above in mind and the understanding that education is the bedrock upon which the foundations of every facet of the society is built, it is important to bridge this gap and encourage learners to practise what they are taught while they are in school,” she said.

Dr Kadiri, who said that photojournalism has gone beyond what could be learnt within the confines of the classroom, added that photojournalism is now an academic endeavour which is more of practical than theoretically based.

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“Academic studies are vital, but you cannot learn to ride a bicycle in the classroom. Hence, practical education is key to today’s learning.

“Yes, while formal education plays a chief role in preparing young adults for life after school, setting the basis by handing them the knowledge required is essential. But it is becoming a heavily realised fact today that many are lacking the ‘know-how,” she said.

The university don said that Fotoclique photography exhibition was one of the platforms provided for students of photojournalism to help them become more prepared and motivated photo-journalists.

“It is important that this skill is handed down to the young ones. And so today, these students have crafted images in their heads and turned them out through the lenses of their cameras.

“My passion for photography has created a new path for me in life. What I have been able to achieve within the humanitarian sector using simple compelling photographs to tell stories on social media is visible even to the blind, Kadiri said.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE