A delegation of students from Babcock University’s Global Innovation and Cultural Immersion Program (GICIP), Nigeria, visited Oracle’s Utrecht office for an inspiring event with presentations and discussion on September 1, 2026.
An Oracle Academy member, Babcock University is a well-established institution offering study in areas including medicine, nursing, law, business, computer science, education, and social sciences. With around 15,000 students, it is known for its structured campus environment and strong focus on academic achievement, discipline, and personal development.
The group consisted of 30 students, mostly in their final year of study, with about two-thirds studying computing-related subjects: nine in Computer Science, five in Software Engineering, four in Computer Information Systems, and one in Information Technology. The remaining students came from health sciences, law and diplomacy, and accounting. All shared a strong interest in IT, either as their main field or in how technology can support their future professions.
During the visit, the students attended presentations on:
- Cloud core principles and Oracle’s AI strategy
- Database and more
- Accelerating sport with data
- Oracle Academy career paths and Oracle professional certifications
A special thank you goes to Ernest Onuiri, Deputy Director, Associate Professor and GICIP Coordinator, for bringing such an enthusiastic, disciplined, bright, and talented group of students to our Utrecht office. The feedback from both Oracle staff and the students was overwhelmingly positive.
Ernest E. Onuiri PhD., Programme Coordinator, GICIP 2026, Babcock University, said, “For our students, the day at Oracle in Utrecht was a turning point. Many of them had studied the technologies that power the modern world; here they stood inside the company that builds them, welcomed as future colleagues rather than as visitors. Oracle Academy did something rare: it made global careers feel real and reachable for young people from Nigeria. The warmth, the openness, and the generosity of your team turned a company visit into a moment of belief. We are deeply grateful, and we see this as the beginning of a lasting partnership.”
Student Imhanzenobe Daisy Ehijie GMCPN, GICIP 2026, said, “My visit to Oracle in Utrecht was both insightful and eye-opening, particularly because it showed me how intentionally Oracle is investing in the next generation of technology professionals. Learning about the wealth of courses, learning resources, and opportunities available to us through Oracle Academy, at no cost, made me realize that developing relevant, industry-ready skills is far more accessible than I had imagined. Beyond the presentations, what made the experience especially memorable was the warmth and openness of everyone we met; each person was incredibly welcoming, accommodating, and generous in sharing their knowledge and experiences with us. It was a genuinely enriching experience, and I am very grateful to Oracle and the Oracle Academy team for opening their doors to us.”
Student Mpigi Barisua Victoria, GICIP 2026, said, “My time at Oracle in Utrecht was truly remarkable and informative. All the work being done at Oracle showed me how vast the tech industry/space is, such as the Oracle and Red Bull Racing collaboration, and how innovation is driven not just by trying to sell a product but by meeting the customer where their needs lie. It was inspiring to see the major community contributions Oracle makes through Oracle Academy in education and building young minds and innovators. The staff were also very warm and friendly as well as open to questions/discussions, and I left the experience with a lot more knowledge and drive for building a career in tech.”
“My experience at Oracle in Utrecht was truly inspiring and memorable. What stood out for me was getting exposed to how Oracle Academy offers students the education they need to stay relevant in the world of evolving technology today. I was particularly inspired by the people, the ideas being shared, and the way technology can open doors to possibilities. I left the experience feeling more motivated to explore more opportunities at the intersection of business, finance, and technology. Thank you so much for welcoming us; we truly appreciate it,” said student Chidubem Molokwu ACA, GICIP 2026.
A big thank you goes to the Oracle colleagues who made this event so valuable for the students: Jos Nijhoff, Technology Cloud Solution Architect; Robert Pastijn, Distinguished Product Architect; Kevin van Aken, Account Cloud Engineer; and Rik Bleeker, Oracle Academy Program Manager, Benelux and DACH.
Oracle Academy is proud to support the next generation of technology leaders by helping students build practical knowledge and skills and connect academic learning with real-world opportunities. We look forward to keeping the conversation going with the ETH SSRF community and with students around the world.
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