THE INTEGRATION OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN OTM CURRICULUM AS A PREDICTOR FOR EFFECTIVE JOB PERFORMANCE OF OTM GRADUATING STUDENTS IN PUBLIC TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN EKITI STATE

The study examines the integration of new technologies in OTM curriculum as a predictor effective performance of OTM graduating student in public tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. The specific objectives of the study were to; current state of technology integration in Office Technology and Management (OTM) curricula, identify challenges hindering effective technology integration in OTM education and to examine the impact of technology integration on the job performance of graduating students in OTM programs in public tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. The study utilized the survey design. The population of this study comprises of 191 graduating students from the Federal Polytechnic Ado, Ekiti State and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere-Ekiti. Using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sampling techniques, 127 OTM graduating students were sampled from Federal Polytechnic Ado, Ekiti State and Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology (BOUESTI), Ikere-Ekiti. The instrument used for the study is a questionnaire. The instrument was validated by experts in the field of office technology and management and the researcher’s supervisor. The distributed copies of the questionnaires were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics were used. The findings revealed that the OTM curriculum in public tertiary institutions in Ekiti State has adequately integrated key modern technologies. Major challenges include inadequate funding, frequent power outages, lack of technical support staff, and resistance to change among faculty members. The integration of technology into the OTM curriculum has significantly enhanced the job performance of graduates. The study concludes that the integration of new technologies in the OTM curriculum is a significant predictor of the effective job performance of OTM graduates in public tertiary institutions in Ekiti State. The researcher out of many, recommended that Tertiary institutions should review and update the OTM curriculum regularly to include emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, advanced social media management tools, and data analytics. Keywords: Integration, New Technologies, Office Technologies Management, Curriculum, Predictor, Job performance, graduating student.