By Ammar Muhammad Rajab President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Universities to partner with industries and entrepreneurs in their research to...
By Ammar Muhammad Rajab
President Bola Tinubu has encouraged Universities to partner with industries and entrepreneurs in their research to commercialize their ideas. Tinubu said universities are known for research and innovations, which provide the necessary ingredients for the development of societies.
Daily Struggle Newspaper report that Tinubu made this call on Saturday at the 43rd convocation ceremony of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna state.
President Tinubu who was represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, noted that Nigerian universities have contributed significantly to research and development, thus the need for them to partner with industries and entrepreneurs in their research.
He stated that Ahmadu Bello University Zaria enjoys a desirable status in its contribution to research and innovations, especially in agriculture, medicine, and engineering, among others.
"I urge the university to publicize their research and collaborate with industries and entrepreneurs for commercializing such ideas.
“Today, the higher education sector is witnessing tremendous growth, internalization, and impact from globalization.
“This is partly facilitated by partnerships, collaborations, and the use of Information and Communication Technology.
“The initiative of the university in developing a regional and internationalization policy aimed at attracting international staff and students is a right step in the right direction”, the President said.
He added that the federal government is complementing these pragmatic efforts by recently approving transnational education in Nigeria.
“This policy allows universities and investors abroad to set up institutions within Nigeria, owned by them or collaborate and partner with existing Nigerian institutions.
“Gone are the days when Nigeria is bottle-lapped in knowledge and cooperation.
"Overall, therefore, this gives Nigerians access to quality education based on global standards and also saves foreign exchange.
“On our part, this government acknowledges the critical roles of tertiary institutions in achieving the aims of this government to place the nation on the path of development.
“We will continue to support the institutions with suitable policies and resources that will facilitate its roles”, Tinubu said.
According to him, students will also enjoy support such as the student loans that have been expanded to cater for those pursuing skill-based courses in addition to those in the universities.'
The President called on the graduating students to be job creators as there are jobs.
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| From right: Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, and the Chancellor of the University, Obi of Onitsha, Dr Nnaemeke Achebe standing during the 43rd Convocation Ceremony. Pic credit: Government of Zamfara State. |
Also speaking during the occasion, the Chancellor of the University and the Obi of Onitsha, Dr Nnaemeke Achebe, commended the federal government for removing the federal universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), adding that the decision would go a long way in guaranteeing the autonomy of the universities.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, disclosed that a total of 25,432 students graduated with various degrees, 647 bagged PhD degrees, 5,167 masters, 40 MPhil and 955 postgraduate diplomas.
He said out of 11,916 graduates with Bachelor's degrees, 182 earned first-class, 3,902 earned second-class upper, and 11,552 graduated with second-class, lower division.
In attendance at the convocation ceremony were governors of Kaduna and Zamfara states, Senator Uba Sani and Dauda Lawal, Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali and former Criss River State Governor Donald Duke, among others.
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