Beneficiaries Of The Akwa Ibom/Uk Education Trip Have Expressed How The Experience Has Challenged Them To Think Globally.

A group of rural secondary school students from Akwa Ibom State, participating in an educational trip to the United Kingdom, have expressed their enthusiasm for the opportunity to broaden their minds and become global thinkers.

While waiting to catch their flights back home at London Heathrow Airport, one of the students, Anne Sambo, shared her excitement about experiencing a different academic environment, which has challenged them to develop a new mindset and realize that the world is much bigger than they thought. She expressed that the trip has been eye-opening and inspiring.

The educational trip, organized for students from all 31 local government areas in Akwa Ibom State, includes visits to prestigious educational institutions such as Imperial College London, Cambridge University, and Coventry University London. The students have had the opportunity to engage in interactive learning sessions with academic and industry leaders and explore the impressive facilities of these institutions.

For Godswill Asuquo, who aspires to study a course in the sciences, the trip has ignited a new interest in global scientific participation. During the visit to Imperial College, he was particularly impressed by the level of resources available and expressed his desire to contribute to solving problems. His goal now is to excel academically and possibly return as a student at Imperial College.

In addition to the academic exposure, the students also had the chance to visit famous landmarks in the United Kingdom, including the National Maritime Museum, the National Gallery, the Meridian Observatory, the Museum of Science, Buckingham Palace, and Trafalgar Square. These visits provided valuable lessons in history and highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage.

The students were received at the Nigerian House by the acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu, at the beginning of their educational trip.

Christiana Archibong, one of the supervisors accompanying the students, emphasized the positive impact of exposing the students to a different environment. She mentioned that the students are learning that there is so much to discover beyond their immediate communities and that experiencing history and culture firsthand is making them reflect on their own roles in the world.

Udeme Okono, a mental health expert also on the trip, commended the Akwa Ibom State government for sponsoring the students and expressed the belief that this opportunity to visit renowned institutions will motivate them to achieve great success in the future.

Sponsored by the Akwa Ibom State Government, this initiative aims to provide the students with exposure to international education, cutting-edge research, and diverse cultures. It is part of the broader ARISE Agenda of Governor Pastor Umo Eno, which focuses on enhancing educational opportunities in rural areas.

The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, praised the students for their eagerness to learn and encouraged them to make the most of the knowledge they have gained during the trip. She highlighted that these students represent the future of Akwa Ibom and expressed hope that the experience will inspire them to think critically about their education and the role they can play in shaping the state, country, and the world.

As the trip continues, many of the students have expressed their desire to share their experiences with their peers back home. They have developed a newfound passion for giving back to their communities and encouraging others to pursue knowledge with a broader perspective.

The second and final set of 39 students will embark on their tour of educational institutions and iconic locations in the UK starting from Monday, September 9th.

The Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong, expressed his gratitude for being assigned the responsibility to support the governor’s educational agenda. He mentioned that it has been a challenging but rewarding task so far, and he hopes to conclude the trip on a high note as the first set of students returns home and the second set begins their journey.