Management of Universities in the country have been directed to leverage on their strength to seek relevant partnerships with the private sector to commercialize their designs and inventions.
As the representative of Nigeria’s President, the Minister of Education, Professor Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai stated this at the 24th Convocation ceremony of Federal University of Technology, Owerri saying that such partnerships would support Universities in meeting their infrastructural and other needs rather than placing burden on students and their parents.
She urged the universities to strive to identify with the needs of the society in order to meet the hope and aspirations of the growing population, adding that government on its part is open on ideas on how to solve problems and move the country forward.
While acknowledging the strategic position of FUTO in the national quest for technological development which he described as one of the key underpinning national transformation, she commended the Management of the institution for the numerous achievements in recent times especially in relation to promoting sound academic programmes, citing the establishment of the centre for entrepreneurship training, computerization and retraining of staff.
She advised the graduating students to put to practical use the technical know-how acquired in the course of their programmes even as she noted that over 80% of courses offered by FUTO have received full accreditation from the National Universities Commission and other professional regulatory bodies such as COREN.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka in his convocation address stated that through the regular Government’s subventions, special interventions and the internally generated revenues, the University was able to embark on a number of projects, as the institution has continued to maintain its top position in academics winning laurels in local and international competitions. He however solicited for the assistance of all stake holders in the provision of infrastructure particularly the construction of lecture halls, students’ hostels and laboratories among others.
The ceremony witnessed the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on four eminent Nigerians including the Chief of Staff to the President, Asiwaju Mike Oghiadomhe, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabo and Chief Ifeanyi Uba, CEO of Capital Oil and Gas.
The ceremony witnessed the conferment of Honorary Doctorate Degrees on four eminent Nigerians including the Chief of Staff to the President, Asiwaju Mike Oghiadomhe, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio and his Gombe State counterpart, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwabo and Chief Ifeanyi Uba, CEO of Capital Oil and Gas.
