By Ikenna Nwokedi 

Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (UNIZIK) has unbundled her Computer Science Academic programmes into four different degree awarding departments.

This disclosure was made by the Head, Department of Information Technology, one of the new departments, Dr. Ikechukwu Innocent Umeh during an interview with reporters on Tuesday, 28th August 2023 at his office.

Dr. Umeh disclosed that the Computer Science discipline was unbundled into four departments comprising of Information Technology, Cyber Security, Software Engineering and Computer Science. The scholar informed that officials of the National Universities Commission came to the institution recently for resource verification to ascertain the readiness of the institution to kickstart the academic programmes for the new courses. He also explained that the objective of splitting the computer science programme was to create and expand room for specialisation, considering the ever expanding new areas in the course.

"The National Universities Commission (NUC) before now had approved the unbundling of the computer science academic programme which has been implemented in some institutions in the country with some existing as Faculty of Computing Science while some named theirs as School of Computing Science.

"The NUC some weeks back came here for resource verification and we await their positive response in order to commence full academic programme and admission for the 2023-2024 academic session as already the various departments have scholars with requisite experience who hitherto carried out their masters and doctoral degrees majoring in the three areas," Umeh disclosed.

The MD/CEO Pa-Cent Technologies added that the need to unbundle was imperative as the initiative would impact positively on the institution by grooming, nurturing and producing competent graduates and professionals. He averred that the new departments would be domiciled under the Faculty of Physical Sciences as the new programmes are still lacking in structures to aid their existence as a Faculty or School.

Umeh also disclosed that the Department of Software Engineering would award Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) as the discipline is about software development and not hardware as obtained in Electrical Electronics Engineering discipline.

The Entrepreneur turned scholar thanked the Vice-Chancellor, his management team, the Senate and the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Sciences for their efforts and immense support towards ensuring that unbundling of the computer science course was achieved.