To combat spread of HIV in schools: Chantal Biya’s social vaccine programme, ICT University seal deal.

The high-level agreement signed Tuesday in Yaounde, seeks to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS and other emerging diseases within the school milieu and beyond.

Both institutions, through the partnership, aim to leverage on information and communication technologies, ICTs to boost the fight against HIV amongst young Cameroonians and those South of the Sahara.

The Founder and President of the Board of Trustees of the ICT University, erudite Professor, Victor Mbarika, who spoke during Tuesday’s signing ceremony, said the deal is the fruit of years of negotiation with the Chantal Biya outfit.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Minister of Employment and Vocational Training, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, the Vice Chancellor of the ICT University, Prof Jean Emmanuel Pondi and the president of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences, venerated Prof Beban Sammy Chumbow.

While Prof Victor Mbarika signed the engagement on behalf of the ICT University, the National Coordinator of The Social Vaccine Programme of The First Lady, Rose Ateng Jaji Mbah, did so on behalf of her institution

Speaking at Tuesday’s ceremony, Prof Victor Mbarika was all praises for the First Lady, Chantal Biya.

The Byrd Distinguished Professor, who sits atop the Board of ICT University System, said the partnership agreement is a dream come true. Prof Mbarika said though the ICT University had previously penned similar agreements with institutions across the world, yesterday’s deal was strategic and special. 

The winner of the prestigious Excellence in Leadership Award from the African Achievers Awards said partnering with the country’s First Lady is the apex of his institution’s journey towards working for the interest of mankind.

“We want to congratulate Her Excellency Madame Chantal Biya, for her humanitarian efforts. She is not only representing Cameroon but the world. She has already been doing this for many years. ICT University is not starting anything new for her. We are backing her project by bringing in technology to be able to spread the message on vaccination as well as the prevention of HIV and other pandemics,” the revered University don said of The First Lady.

He was categorical that: “In today’s world, you can’t proceed with such a thing by using analogue means. You need digitalisation to reach out to these young people who by the way, don’t read newspapers. They are on social media. So, ICT University is coming to push forward what The First Lady is doing; by taking these messages to the young people by using all forms of information technologies”.

Enter SVPFL National Coordinator

Also speaking at signing ceremony, the National Coordinator of The Social Vaccine Programme of The First Lady, SVPFL, Rose Ateng Jaji Mbah, explained that the initiative is an ambitious programme put in place at the request of Her Excellency Chantal Biya. 

Jaji Mbah stated that Madame Chantal Biya has been “carrying out so many humanitarian activities but that on fighting against pandemics and social ills is very special”.

She explained that: “You know in the school milieu today, you find students fighting, stabbing teachers and so on…the rate of HIV prevalence in schools is abnormally high. So, The First Lady thought it wise that while waiting for other structures like The Chantal Biya International Reference Centre, she can use the classrooms to reach out to the people and sensitise them. You know, it is better to prevent than to treat”.

She continued that: “…we are using pedagogic tools like The Chantal Biya Multimedia Video Centres, which today we are proud to say that we have about 29 of them…22 out of the 29 are using fastest internet through optic fibre… researchers can get there and get in touch with experts around the world”.

Jaji Mbah then stated that: “…we can’t be talking of digitalisation of the teaching and learning process and using the digital equipment to vulgarise it around the world without thinking of giants like the ICT University. I think it is the right time for them to come onboard. We have been trying but now they are coming onboard with the expertise to carry this very laudable initiative of The First Lady to the next level”.

She said the ambition of The First Lady is to ensure that the current generation grows up tomorrow void of infections.

“That is the vision of The First Lady. For those who are already infected, she wants them to follow medical advice by going to the hospital,” she said.

Justifying reason for the partnership, the National Coordinator disclosed that “fighting HIV/AIDS before now was so expensive for Madame Chantal Biya because other colleagues from around the continent had to send people here to come and see how they could learn the idea to go and set up the social vaccine programme in their countries. It was becoming more expensive, but with the coming of the ICT University, and through The Chantal Biya Multimedia Video Conference Centres, experts will sit right there and disseminate the news round the world without spending a dime”.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No: 3261 of Wednesday October 16, 2024