An Ibadan-based printing and publishing guru, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo has launched Best-in-Print Academy for effective and efficient training of professional printers and publishers.
During the launch of the academy on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the publishing guru said state-of-the-art equipment in printing sector need young, vibrant and well-trained professionals to operate them.
Reacting to what motivated him into founding the academy, he identified the dearth of professionals in the industry as well as giving back to the society as major reasons. He projected the academy to become a degree awarding mono institution in the next five years.
In his welcome address, the
proprietor, who also doubles as President of Governing Council, Best-in-Print Academy, congratulated pioneering students for choosing to embark on the transformative journey with the academy, urging them to count themselves among the fortunate few who would shape the future of the printing industry.
Mr. Adedapo used the opportunity to inform the gathering that the academy is affiliated with Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON).
His speech partly reads:
“This printing academy was established and approved by the government to address the shortage of skilled professionals within the printing industry in Nigeria. With the rapid advancement of technology, the printing industry has significantly evolved, and there is now a growing demand for individuals with specialized knowledge in printing techniques, design, and production.
“In line with UN SDG 4, which is to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, we intend to bridge the gap between modern day equipment and old printing techniques of yesteryears through the provision of world class education that sticks for life. Our graduates from this academy will receive world class training through capacity building and intensive personnel training that is globally
competitive and relevant all across the world.
“Our instructors are a team of experts who are certified to teach both the theoretical and practical aspects of printing technology. We also have a partnership exchange program with printing machine manufacturers abroad, who are ready to absorb our students as interns in Asia, Europe, and America.
“This will not only benefit our students but also contribute to the growth and development of the printing industry in Nigeria.
“Through our experience, we realised that many business owners and printers are beginning to invest in new generation printing machines without having the required highly skilled manpower and personnel to effectively manage and operate the machines to its full capacity. In view of this, we decided to train and galvanise unskilled labour to skilled roles with credible employability ratings as it is done in saner climes.
“We identified a huge gap between Academia and industry. Lots of graduates out there without relevant skills needed to thrive in modern day business world. Best-in-Print Academy will equip and offer handson training with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure that our students are well-prepared to enter the
workforce upon graduation.
“We also have a learn and earn scheme for top performing students at the academy. We have a printing press attached to the Academy for practicals, where our students will get hands on training and also earn in the course of their academic activities.
“More importantly, this academy is our own way of giving back to the society the provision of a vocational education that is flexible, conducive, affordable, and attractive. This will furthermore
attract young graduate and skilled individuals into the business.”
Mr. Adedapo listed the courses at the academy to include:
Certificate programs, Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs,
Executive Courses; all for Graduates and Non-Graduates.
“Our primary goal is to provide
comprehensive training and education to aspiring printers, graphic designers, and production managers. Our curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including digital printing, offset printing,
screen printing, and graphic design.
“Our Academy will serve as a hub for innovation and collaboration within the printing industry. We will partner with printing companies, industry experts, and government agencies to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the field.
“Our preliminary classes will hold physically for now; however, our goal is to be a world-renowned institute for technical and practical learning in printing industry, with hybrid training capacities. This will be achieved by partnering with reputable foreign organisations and institutions that we have business relationships with long before now.
“In the nearest future, foreign students will be able to participate in our online classes and take up their practical trainings in reputable firms we have partnered with across the globe.
“Your lectures are delivered under a conducive and convenient learning environment with World Class Standard Certification that is globally recognised and affiliation with the Best Printing Manufacturers Abroad for Industrial Attachment for exceptional students.
“For business owners and academics, you can send your staff and students down here for improved learning programs. We also have executive courses for Press Managers and stakeholders in the printing industry.
“Ladies and gentlemen, we stand at the forefront of addressing the most pressing challenges of our time, challenges that demand innovative technical solutions. From the realms of artificial intelligence in printing and publishing, to cutting-edge graphics design, from machine operations and maintenance to printing technology techniques, and from human capital development to job security, our programs are vital in shaping the future.
“Best-in-Print Academy is a place where we nurture and cultivate the next generation of industry giants, equipped with the technical prowess to thrive in this dynamic and ever-evolving landscape. It is with great enthusiasm that I encourage you to entrust your staff, your wards, your colleagues, your constituent members, your subordinates, and even your managers to the care of our institution, where they will acquire the knowledge and hone the skills necessary to excel.” Adedapo further stated.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the launch, the president of Chartered Institute of Professional Printers of Nigeria (CIPPON), Comrade Babajide Salako said printing is evolving as against the wrong insinuation that it is going out of fashion.
He acknowledged the contribution of technology, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI). He however stressed that AI cannot completely displace human resources like proofreaders and others.
He called on government at all levels to do more in the area of vocational education and skills acquisition rather than overglorification of certificates.
Reacting to whether social media technology can displace newspaper publication, Comrade Salako dismissed the insinuation, stressing that it can only limit its circulation but not kill it as newspaper mostly generate its income from advertising, and not newspaper circulation.
The CIPPON president urged the management of the academy to work hand-in-hand with National Board For Technical Education (NBTE) for quick growth and progress.
Earlier in his opening remarks at the the launch of the new academy, Prof. Adebayo Agunbiade (Ph.D) who is the Director of Academic Planning, Best In Print Academy, assured the prospective students of the academy, parents, guardians and sponsors that they would never regret their decision of choosing Best-in-Print Academy as they are going to have invaluable value for their time, money and other resources sacrificed to come and learn the art, act, theory, practice, processes, procedures, the science and all the rudiments of printing operations and management.
“I am delighted to announce to this august gathering that our Academy has full accreditation with the relevant government agencies while we are in good partnership with regulatory body in the industry as well as some corporate bodies in the book and printing ecosystem.
“I want to assure you that within a period of six months or two years that your academic programme will last, you will be exposed to the practice of modern and latest printing technology with the state of the art facilities both theoretically and practically.
“Our seasoned and well-experienced instructors will take you through and train you on all the rudiments of printing technology which will enable you to be a well-groomed professional and certified cosmopolitan printers.
“Similarly, we want to assure you that our programmes will not only be flexible but also accommodating and friendly to the working-class which will enable them to receive their lectures through online platforms as our seasoned and well experienced instructors are set to give their best through every medium that will enable you to get and receive the best from Best-in-Print Academy.” Prof. Agunbiade stated.
The Provost of the Academy, Deepak Francis who joined the event via zoom, urged the general public to give necessary supports to Best-in-Print Academy and witness the tranformed society the academy is poised to bring in the nearest future. He assured the pioneering students that he would avail them the opportunity to tap from his vast experience in both theoretical and practical printing and publishing.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of seminar titled “The Invaluable and Infallible Place of AI in the Future of Printing/Publishing”.
People from all walks of life including academia, security agencies, legal practitioners, health professionals and media experts among others graced the event.