Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, wants the University of Uyo, to develop social media as a course of study in the university, as a way of educating people, especially the youths, on the proper usage of social networking.
Mr. Umanah, made the call yesterday in Uyo, when he received members of the Local Organizing Committee of the first Faculty of Arts International Conference, to be organized next month, by the University of Uyo.
He expressed concern that some people have misused social networking sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Badoo and Whatapp, against their objective, which was to encourage people to make friends and connect with their families from all over the world.
He said there was the need for the Faculty of Arts, University of Uyo to drive public debate on issues affecting humanities, such as the social media, environment and climate change.
The Commissioner, who is a product of the Faculty, said although science, engineering and medicine are vital drivers of human progress, it is the humanities and social sciences, that help to understand people in the world, through their history, languages and cultures, as a way of promoting social justice and equality.
The Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of the Faculty of Arts International Conference, University of Uyo, Prof. Enoabasi Urua, said the conference, with the theme “Arts and Human Development: The Challenges Facing Univerisities in the 21st Century” is intended to discuss and proffer solutions to challenges facing humanities across the globe.
Prof Urua, who is also the Director, Centre for Gender Studies of the university, said the visit was to invite the Commissioner to the conference, which is slated to begin from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th July, 2014, at the University of Uyo.
She solicited Mr. Aniekan Umanah’s support and that of the State Ministry of Information and Communications towards the successful hosting of the conference.
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