For an Institute that is focused on building capacity in order to transform cultural assets into economic benefits, the essence of project defence by its students is to encourage originality and valid contributions to development of the Nigerian cultural sector.

Dr. Dipo Kalejaiye, Head, Academics, NICO Training School, Lagos, made this statement recently during project defence sessions held in the Lecture Halls of NICO Training School complex, National Arts Theatre Annex, Iganmu-Lagos, from 26-28 November, 2013.

According to Kalejaiye, the exercise was aimed at helping students to talk authoritatively on their written research works and make corrections on errors in research procedures before binding the projects.

Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Mohammed, a lecturer in the School, said that what project defence panellists look out for are originality, addition to existing knowledge or relevant literature, and relevance of project to society.

On his part, Mr. Law Ezeh, lecturer and Student Affairs Officer of the School, observed that students’ proficiency on the chosen topic is properly investigated during project defence sessions and it is noteworthy that, most NICO students whose research works had been appraised made outstanding, original and exciting presentations.

One of the students who defended his project work, Mr. Alaba Ezekiel Opeyemi, asserted that the exercise was exciting and rewarding and commended the Institute for a job well done.

NICO Training School, in the 2012/2013 Academic session, enrolled a total of 59 students for the Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration; and all the students are expected to prove before academic panels the authenticity and significance of research works carried out by them.

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