I had the pleasure to sit with Gossy Ukanwoke, who is the President and Founder of Beni American University and also a senior at Girne American University, North Cyprus studying Management Information Systems.
What is Beni American University?
It is Africa’s first hybrid university. It has both online and on campus resources. It allows students learn online as well as on campus. Basically a school without classes. Campuses will have recreational activities, study lounges etc. Students take examinations physically on campus, work on assignments, group works, consultations. The library is always available to the students. We have access to over 10 million libraries.
Where and how did you come up with the name Beni? What does it mean?
(Laughing) I get that a lot. It’s something that is close to my heart, I like the name, I like the way it sounds. It has a lot of meanings from different languages.
Why did you found the Beni American University?
In Nigeria approximately 1.5 million students graduate from high school each year. A few hundred students get admitted into universities, because most universities admit once a year. Unfortunately that leaves millions of idle youths, some end up retaking the jamb exams. So many of these students want to get into universities to learn and to better their lives. Sadly they end up at home doing practically nothing. Beni American University has three admission intakes that students can enroll in and not just once a year.
What is your success rate right now?
Oh it is very successful. People are already registered in Enugu State. After we are done building our campus in Enugu next will be Lagos then Abuja. All feedbacks are about 95% positive
Are there any scholarship opportunities?
Definitely. We offer scholarships based on academics, government scholarship and also for girls and women. We award up to 30%
Is it available to every nationality or is it just for Nigerians?
Beni American University is for every Nationality, but right now we are starting with Nigeria first and hopefully expand e.g. East Africa.
What obstacles are you facing now?
Well, Generally people think it won’t work because it is an online university, few percentage of people have little or no experience with online classes. This is something new. There will be a lot of skepticism. But we will go to schools to talk to high school students. Also because of issues like lack of electricity. Which is why we partnered up with cyber cafes so students can access the web whenever they want to study, research etc. And they don’t have to pay for internet access because it is part of their tuition. Every student gets a computer that they can use at cyber cafes or at the library on campus.
What about lecturers?
Right now we have about over 20 lecturers. Which 8 are professors from the UK and England.
What about accreditations? You do need that right?
Accreditations usually takes a minimum of 2 years to get it, but we have an articulation right now.
What kind of courses/degrees does BAU offer?
Both Associate degrees and Degree but we only offer business programs for now. In order to promote entrepreneurship so students can create their own business ideas.
Tell me, who is Gossy?
I don’t know(smiling) I’m generally quiet. I make a lot of jokes. I have a lot of interests and I find myself able to do a lot of things in different areas.
People might describe Gossy as the next Mark Zuckerberg but I personally will say Mark Zuckerberg has nothing on him. Not only is he the founder of Beni American University he is also the founder of Student Circle Network. An educative social network for high school and college students that provides free course recourses and materials for students across the globe! Students get to interact with one another, share coursework’s, ideas, and to network. He is just a youth giving back to his country, giving people opportunities they might never have and at the same time earning a living. The world needs to watch out for Gossy who will change lives one student at a time. He is an A student and he may not like school but he is giving people the opportunity to express themselves in their own personal way once you enroll with Beni American University. And for students out there do find the time to join the Student Circle Network to help with assignments and research. He might be too shy to describe himself but he is a calm, intelligent young man. And to my surprise he writes and edits.
Read more about
Beni American University- beniamerican.org
Student Circle network- studentscircle.net
Follow him on twitter- @gossyomega
Written by Fatima Dangogo Daroda
No comments:
Post a Comment