Prof. Christiaan Daniel Jacobs

Biography

Prof. Christiaan Daniel Jacobs (DEd, PHd), is the present Deputy Vice - Chancellor ( Academics) of the University of Africa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.He is the previous Vice -  Chancellor of Chrisland University, Abeokuta in Ogun State, Nigeria and was the Director of Studies for Chrisland Educational Organisation, Lagos from 2007 to 2016. The Organisation is the largest private educational enterprise in West - Africa with 12 Schools, a Pre - Degree College and a University. Chrisland Educational Organisation is the leaders in eLearning and technology in Lagos State.

He is a registered educational psychologist with the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and a member of the South African Academy for Arts and Science, South Africa.

Prof. Jacobs is a reputable international academic and researcher and was invited as guest lecturer to the American University in Bulgaria and as guest lecturer to by the Federal Government of Nigeria the University of Gedansck in Poland.He completed the following publications over the last three years : Innovation in the Worlplace (2016), The Creative Learner : A Programme to Improve the Creative Abilities of Primary School Learners (2017) and A Holistic Overview of Private Universities in Nigeria.

He was a full - professor and Head of the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He was appointed in 1997 as Director of the new Centre for Psychology and Counselling at the University of Stellenbosch, being mandated by the Board of Stellenbosch University to oversee the wellness and well - being of students on Campus.

He received various research grants from the Human Research Council, National Training Board and National Road Safety Council, South Africa. He was granted funding from USAID and the Smith and May Foundation ( USA ) for empowering his successful and sustainable Community Service Projects that impacted on the lives of disadvantaged South Africans.

Prof. Jacobs present research focus is on Quality Asurance in Higher Education, Technology, Entreperneurship, University Improvement and Developmen Plans and how eLearning can assist  African students at risk.

He was actively involved in coaching and mentoring students on the Amnesty Programme to successfully complete their first year of study at the University of Africa, Bayelsa State (Academic Session 2016 - 2017). The Amnesty Programme was formally implemented by the Federal Government of Nigeria ( 2007) to change the lives of young people that was actively involved as militants and activists in the Niger Delta region. 

The Digital and Online Programme designed by prof. Jacobs, contributed to the academic success of the Amnesty students ( N = 53 ). Achieving academic success with  these students based on the digital and online programm was combined with a policy for the students to work hard,

The academic success of these students convinced the Amnesty Board in Abuja, Nigeria to place 520 new Amnesty students at the University of Africa for the Academic Session 2017 - 2018 .

Lessons learnt from the Digital and Online Programme :

1. If there is a major challenge with the Internet provision on the Campus, there can be no Digital or Online Programme.

2.  Critical outcomes must be formulated for the Programme and discussed with the students.

3. Ald relevant role players must be involved in the development of the Programme.

4. The Programme must be designed and constructed on a solid research design.

5. Choose affordable and state - of - the - art technology and reputable Service Providers to implement the Programme.

6. The Programme delivery must be subjected to a process of Quality Assurance.

7. Global partners that are willing to get involve in the Programme will secure the academic reputation of the Programme.