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Goals and Objectives of NCS
Relationship between NCS and other professional bodies.
Benefits Derived from NCS since its creation.
Programs NCS is Active In
The tangible and intangible benefits of NCS membership
Professionalism
Goals and Objectives of NCS
The Nigeria Computer Society has evolved in response to the pervasiveness of computing and other information technologies in the lives of the 21st century Nigerians.
The goals from inception of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) as enshrined in its constitution shall be the advancement of Computer Science and Information Technology & Systems, their applications and deployments to Professional Practice in education, government, the military, the industry and support for work which is important to the general community and the professions at large.
The objectives of the society shall be as follows:
1 To promote the education and training of Computer & Information Scientists, Computer Engineers, Information Architects and Information Technology & Systems Professionals.
2 To actively encourage research in the advancement of Computer & Information Sciences, Information Technology & Systems and Practice; disseminate results of scientific works carried out in industry, military and education sectors.
3. To promote the interchange of information about the sciences and arts of information processing and management among specialists and the public.
4 To develop the competence of, and encourage integrity in, members engaged in the practice of Computing, and to uphold the ethics of the profession as contained in the Code of Conduct and the Code of Practice of the Society.
5 To promote and protect the professional interest of its members.
6 To advise members, governments, other competent authorities and the general public, on national and international policy matters affecting the computing, information and systems technology industry.
7 To build global affiliations, and co-operate with similar professional organizations throughout the world. To receive, render or reciprocate such services as are beneficial to and consistent with the objectives of the society.
8 To position as the representative of members of the society in all negotiations and consultations with the Federal, State, Local governments and their agencies on matters of policy affecting the conduct, practice of the computing and information technology & systems professional and industry.
9 To contribute to the formulation of policies, development and assessment of educational and training curricula relation to the profession.
10. To recognize and advance the interests of gender, the handicapped and other disadvantaged groups as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as relates to the information and computing society.
11. To work for the recognition by Government of the “Digital Divide”; and to collaborate with relevant governments, institutions and organizations in proffering solutions.
Relationship between NCS and other professional bodies.
The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) is the umbrella organization of all IT professionals, interest Groups and stakeholders in Nigeria. Established in 1978 as the Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN), NCS is the national platform for the advancement of Computer Science and Information Technology and has as members, the following chartered groups:
Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN),
Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON),
Software Developers’ Group (SDG).
Each of the above subgroups has its own independent structure and interest. ITAN comprises of hardware companies. ISPON and SDG are for software and services companies.
In addition, fused into the larger Interest Groups are other smaller Groups such as:-
Nigeria Information Technology Practitioners in the Civil Service, Nigeria Information Technology Corporate Members Group, and The Nigeria Information Technology Academic Group.
Our students’ body is the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS). NACOSS members consist of all students of Computer Science and Information Technology in all tertiary institutions (Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education) in the country and they number more than forty thousand.
The current configuration of NCS was an outcome of several meetings and consultations at very high levels in the country and involved all stakeholders including the National Assembly and government with a view to creating a unified structure and a consensual approach to industry issues in the best interest of all the stakeholders in the IT industry in Nigeria. It was believed, and is still believed, that a unified structure is a critical requirement for the growth of the industry since this will help to:
- Achieve sustainable harmony in, and effective control of the industry.
- Create a unified focus for the development of a national IT strategy. required to facilitate the country’s effective participation in global IT growth in a manner that will bring about rapid economic development, and
- Facilitate a unified position, which will strengthen IT industry’s influence on government for the immediate provision of enabling legislative policy, and institutional infrastructure required for rapid development of local IT industry to the general benefit of all stakeholders.
At the end of these discussions, agreement was reached that the then Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN) should transform into Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) comprising the afore-mentioned groups.
NCS was formally launched during the Annual Conference of the then Computer Association of Nigeria held at the International Conference Center, Abuja, in June 2002.
The IT industry has actually realized most of these benefits thus justifying the reasons adduced earlier for the recommendation.
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Benefits Derived from NCS since its creation.
NCS has contributed immensely to issues of computer awareness and literacy through various conferences and workshops that are held at various parts of the country regularly. Our annual Conferences and workshops are also used as forums for discussing issues that advance the IT profession in areas of Software Development and Computer languages, Networking, the Internet, e-Business, e-learning, Security, Education, etc.
In 1999, we launched a very successful Y2K campaign that created awareness and made people realize the dangers involved in not remediating their computer hardware and software systems. During that period, we offered free compliance testing services, provided a testing model that was copied by government agencies.
We pioneered and contributed immensely to the IT Policy document of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to the setting up of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
We have also been drafting and submitting to the National Assembly Bills that should give legal teeth to various IT related issues and policies that will help move the industry forward. One such Bill is currently in the National Assembly and has passed 1st Reading in the Senate.
NCS has assisted in developing IT Curricular for some state governments, notably Lagos State. We played a major role during the period of “Computer Literacy Program in Unity Schools” when we developed both the syllabus for the Literacy Program as well as that for the various “Train the Trainers” workshops, which we also conducted.
NCS administers professional examinations on behalf of the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), which is the IT industry’s regulatory body in Nigeria. The examination covers a broad spectrum of subject areas and caters for both basic users as well as more advanced and continuing professionals.
The American Embassy has been very supportive of NCS in the latter’s various activities. We share affiliation with the British Computer Society and IFIP.
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Programs NCS is Active In
Member companies of NCS have been contributing to the development of computer Hardware and Software, as well as in development of IT capacity and diffusion.
In hardware, our member companies have started to produce branded PCs that compare in standards and quality with internationally popular brands like HP, IBM, Dell, etc. There are now local brands like Zinox, Omatek, Speedstar. All these products are in use in Multinationals, Oil companies, Banks and financial institutions.
In computer software, we have been able to develop applications that are fully functional, robust, scalable and web-based-applications in Human Resources Management, Payroll, Banking, Insurance, Accounting, Land Records Management, etc. We celebrate these software during our Annual Software Exhibition, which we call Nigeria Software Exhibition, NISE, for short.
Encouraged by these developments, NCS has in the past few years, been running a sustained campaign to the effect that the country should build indigenous expertise in IT, harness and channel it to the development of products and services which will generate alternative income for the country. Our campaign has focused mainly on the country giving priority attention to indigenous software development. We are particular with this area because of the conviction that this option presents us with a better opportunity to compete with the rest of the world since we have shown, with examples of proven and tested software products and services, that we have the requisite skills in this area.
Our sustained campaign for indigenous software development yielded remarkable results earlier in the year when President Olusegun Obasanjo set up a Ministerial Committee on Software Development. The Committee, headed by the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Turner Isoun, is to develop realistic strategies for the development and promotion of software products and services in the country, using a report, Development of the Software Industry in Nigeria, which was based on NCS/ISPON strategic software development proposals, as a reference point.
We also extend our focus on software development to our student body NACOSS. In conjunction with NACOSS, private sector firms and government, we assist in propagating the message of IT as a key driver for economic growth and national prosperity. Our annual competition amongst tertiary institutions for the most innovative use of IT(especially in the development of software products and services) is now well established. It offers prizes in 20 categories and opportunity for advancement to deserving individuals and Institutions.
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The tangible and intangible benefits of NCS membership
Professionalism
· Belonging to a highly regarded professional body
· Recognition for subscribing to a Code of Ethics and a Professional Code of Conduct and Practice
· Opportunity to Contribute to government policy and have a strong voice in the IT community
Networking Opportunities
· Branch Forums/Branch Chapters
· Special Interest Groups
· Professional Development Seminars and Workshops
· Young IT Professional Events (NACOSS)
· Foreign Summits and Exhibitions
Professional Development
· Education Across the Nation events
· NCS Annual Conference
· Access to Conference Papers and Proceedings
· NCS Publications (Journal of Computer Science & its Applications, Newsletter- Log-On and Branch Newsletter)
· continuing education programme for members
Career Development for Young Members
· NACOSS Software Competition
· NACOSS Conference and workshops
· IT Placement
· Job Placement
· Students Career Counseling
· Nomination for National and International Competitions
Value Added Benefits
· Member Only Site offers members the convenience of viewing and updating their membership information, accessing information online and more.
· The email redirection service offers members a permanent email address, independent of any ISP. (Being worked on)
· NCS Lifestyle benefits include discounted accommodation rates with Some Five Star Hotels.
· Reciprocal Membership with British Computer Society (BCS)
· Exposure of Corporate Members Products and Services to the needed users
· Recruiting qualified Professional for Corporate Members
With a population of well over 50 thousand the Nigeria Computer Society is today the largest single IT professional body in Africa. Our members see us as the public voice of their profession, and the guardian of Code of Ethics and Professional Conducts and Practice within the IT industry.
The values and ideals the NCS members subscribe to include priorities, competence, honesty, social implications, professional development and the integrity of IT professionals. These benefits the employer and the community, by establishing trust and instilling confidence in IT, while enhancing the competence and prestige of the profession.
We are sure you too would like to contribute your quota to the growth of Information Technology in the County by joining NCS.
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Please download our membership form:
Join us
Constitution
CPN DECREE
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