In furtherance of our partnership commitment with the Korean Government, Dr Justin Beshel, the Honorable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation and his colleague in the Ministry Education, Senator Stephen Odey, Commissioner for Education, received a delegation from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on behalf of the Governor, His Excellency Senator Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu. The team led by the Country Director of KOICA, Kim Eunsub, including Deputy Director Park Soehee, Field Manager Professor Dae Joon Hwang, Yang ilseok, Project Manager Y a n g Ilseok, Manager David Nicwa, and Project Manager.
Oluwatosin Adelele, were to assess the Smart School established b y KOICA in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education and to explore opportunities for potential collaboration In his remarks, the the Honorable Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation welcomed the KOICA team, and on behalf of the Government and good people of Cross River State expressed his unreserved appreciation and gratitude for the recently concluded Capacity Building training in governance for 110 Civil Servants of Cross River State. The training which was sponsored by KOICA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy in partnership with the Cross River State Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation has improved the civil service protocols and procedures of administration.
Dr. Justin Beshel also reminded the Country Director of KOICA of the proposal of a 500 capacity ICT Centre earlier submitted to his office through the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, stating that the facility will help to build manpower skills development and improve the livelihood of Cross Riverians.
He used the occasion to appeal for the second phase of the capacity building training on e - governance. Responding, the Country Director of KOICA assured that Cross River State will continually have an open door to his office, and will be given a top priority in their interventions.
He was happy to note that the Smart School situated in Obudu is top amongst other five in the country.
Also speaking, the Field Manager Dae Joon Hwang also commended their readiness and preparedness of the Cross River state government to welcoming innovations.
He stated with firmness that KOICA will be partnering with the State on STEM education in a few months ahead. He reassured that a call will be made for a suitably qualified team of Cross Riverians for short courses in Korea.
On his p a r t , t h e Commissioner for Education, Senator Stephen Odey assured the Korean delegation of partnership as His Excellency, Governor Otu’s administration is committed to transforming the education sector, as evidenced by the recent establishment of the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa LGA.
A memo is currently before the Governor to establish SMART SCHOOLS across the State, with one SMART SCHOOL in each of the 18 LGAs of the State; we will replicate the Obudu Smart School across the State, iin partnership and cooperation, Senator Odey stated, highlighting the opportunities for collaboration
