The Role of Universities in Human Capital Development: Implications for National Transformation

This study investigated the role of Universities in human capital development in Cross River State and its implication for national transformation. Ex-post facto design was adopted in the study. Two research questions and hypotheses respectively were raised to guide the study. A sample of 227 lecturers were drawn from a population of 1,517 lecturers from the two universities. The Role of Universities in Human Capital Development for National Transformation Questionnaire (TRUIHCDFNTQ) was used to generate data. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. From the results, it was concluded that opportunities for attending retraining programmes and conferences/workshops had significant relationship with lecturers’ transformation in terms of their teaching effectiveness and subsequent national transformation. Based on the findings it was recommended that; Government should provide funds to the universities to sponsor lecturers to attend retraining programmes. Keywords: The Role of Universities, Human Capital Development, National Transformation

The Role of Teacher Education and Nigerian Teachers In National Development: The Way Forward

The study is aimed at evaluating the roles of teacher education and Nigerian teachers in National Development. It is obvious that qualified competent and dedicated teachers are the major instrument for achieving educational goals and National Development. The researcher observed that inspite of the current changes in teachers’ salary structure, teachers’ salaries are not paid as at when due. They are often molested and abused by students, parents and the entire society. Nevertheless, through teacher education, teachers have contributed to national developments like election, census. They also participate in creating awareness among the citizens. Teachers are the real agents that help in the development of various skills and competencies. It should be noted that the more good teachers the nation has, the more the solid citizens and hence more development of the country. To attain the objective of the study the researcher adopted survey design approach through the use of questionnaire developed and validated by the researchers and two experts in measurement and evaluation course. The sample consisted of 118 respondents who are Cross River State indigenes. The data was analyzed using Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. All the hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The result indicates that there is a relationship between Nigerian teachers’ professional roles and national development. It was recommended that the development of teachers, adequate rewards, good welfare packages, and incentive plans and motivation should be sustained