Paper for Issue

STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR CYBER SECURITY IN INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTERS: IMPLICATION ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Abstract Insecurity is storming virtually all human endeavors, globally. Internet which is the fastest growing infrastructure every day in our lives and emerging technology is changing the means of safeguarding our private information effectively, thereby resulting to increase in cybercrimes. These technologies are capable of holding certain information regarding individual or organization, hence, the need for securing them. It is the desire of any nation to develop potentially and in capacity but this results to positive and negative effect. The use of internet and emerging technologies in information resources centers contributes to national development but has resulted to cybercrime. It becomes vital to safeguard this means of development. Cybersecurity is the answer. The enhancement of cyber security and protection of critical information and infrastructures are important to national development. Making the Internet safer and the protection of users has become integral to the development of new services as well as governmental policy. The fight against cybercrime needs a comprehensive and a strategeic approach. Cyber security is the protection of systems, networks and data in cyberspace and is essential even as more people get connected to the internet across the world. Nevertheless, could effective cyber security enhance national development? It is on this note that this paper explored Strategic Approach for Cyber Security in Information Resource Centers: Implication on National Development. Education on safe use of internet and electronic system, establishment of programs and information technology forums for Nigerian youths, interactive voice response (IVR) terminals, cryptography, cyber ethics and cyber legislation law, access control and password security measures, malware scanners, firewalls etc. are strategic approaches that can be explored for effective cyber security. Conclusion on this paper showed that tackling the problem of cyber security will help to promote national development. There is no perfect solution for cyber security but a strategic approach is constantly needed to foster safe and secure future in information resource centers. Suggestion amongst others specified that users of information resource centers should endeavor to check the privacy settings on the page or site they are visiting as most default settings are set up to allow prying or storing of personal and sometimes sensitive information or data about browsing activities. Personnel in information resource centers should instruct users on Cyber ethics or online etiquette that teaches good use of web and electronic devices and how to browse safely. Keywords: Cyber security, Information resource center, Measures, National development, Strategies.

PHYSICAL RESOURCES AND EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE

Abstract

Abstract The study investigated physical resources and effective instructional delivery in public universities in Rivers State. The study was guided by three research questions and three hypotheses. The design adopted for the study was a correlational research design. The population of the study was 3525 academic staff of the Universities in Rivers State. Sample size of 843 participants took part in the study. To determine the sample size Taro Yamene model was applied on each of the category. The stratified random sampling techniques was used to select the sample for the study. The instruments for data collection in this study was a researcher-designed questionnaire titled ‘Physical Resources Questionnaire (PRQ) and Effective Instructional delivery (EIDQ). Cronbach Alpha Method was used to determine the reliability coefficients of 0.78, 0.81 and 0.77 obtained for the various clusters of the instrument which showed the instrument was reliable. The data collected for the study were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC) formula to answer the Research questions and test the corresponding hypotheses. The study concluded that there is a positive relationship between the various physical resources and effective instructional delivery by academic staff of universities which is evident in universities in Rivers State. Physical resources such as classroom building, laboratories and libraries enhances effective instructional service delivery. It recommended among others that university management should allocate adequate funds for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of classroom buildings to ensure they meet modern standards and provide conducive learning environments. Keywords: Physical Resources, Effective Instructional Delivery, Classroom Buildings, Laboratories and Libraries

POLITICS INTERFERENCE AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF UNIVERSITIES IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study examined politics interference and effective management of universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Three research objectives, three research questions and three hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study and the population of the study comprised of 4872 academic and senior non-academic staff in the three public universities in Rivers State. The instrument for data collection was the researcher’s self-structured questionnaire titled, ‘Politics interference and effective management of universities in Questionnaire (PIEAUQ)’. The instruments were validated for face and content validity by the supervisor and two research experts in the department of Educational Management. The overall internal consistency reliability coefficient of 0.91 was obtained. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The null hypotheses were tested using Z-test at 0.05 level of significance. The study revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean ratings of academic and non-academic staff on the influence of political interference in the appointment of principal officers for effective management of universities in Rivers State, Nigeria (Z1,922=-1, p=.1.96), amongst others. The study established that political interference in university funding and management in Rivers State is a pervasive and multifaceted issue, the researcher recommended the distribution of financial resources need to adhere to well-defined standards that prioritise academic and infrastructure requirements above political factors.