Education
THE Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, has commended the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), University of Nigeria Nsukka for its programmes on human capital development.
Onu made the commendation in Nsukka on Friday at a ceremony tagged, “1st Technovation Celebration”, oragnised by the department to showcase their products.
He said that he was impressed that the department, established in 2015, had achieved great mileage in manufacturing.
He lauded the department for producing paints of different colours, known as Lion Paints, Lion car battery charger, Lion perfume, Lion detergent and Lion disinfectants, among others.
“I am happy that the department has keyed into the President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of producing university graduates that will be job creators instead of job seekers.
“For Nigeria to become one of the best economies in the world as well as reduce unemployment, we must produce majority of products Nigerians use everyday.
“I commend the Head of Department, staff and students of the department for this giant stride, since human capital development remains the panacea to nation building,” Onu said.
The minster, who was represented by Mr Yemi Gbadegesin, the Director-General, Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), Ibadan, said that UNN-SLT was among seven universities the ministry certified to run science and technology courses.
“The ministry is happy with the performance of UNN-SLT and will support the department to get full accreditation from Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC).
“If a department established in 2015 can produce these products, it means that with necessary support, in the next five years it can produce sophisticated science equipment.
“The ministry will also help to address some of the challenges facing the department to enable it to move to the next level,” he said.
In a remark, the Head of Department, Prof. Marie Dibua, a Catholic reverened sister, said that the department was designed to train young people in various facets of science and technology entrepreneurship.
Dibua said: “The students of the department are equipped with entrepreneurial skills that will make them job creators instead of job seekers upon graduation.
“There is urgent need to redirect our national and individual attitudes towards building the caliber of youths in various technological and scientific specialties that will make the country to compete with countries like China and U.S.
“Today’s event beckons on us to build resilient infrastructure and promote inclusive innovation in our policy toward youths development,” she said.
She disclosed that NUC on August 31 2018 approved a full-time degree programme in Science Laboratory Technology for the department.
“NUC will be coming to the department very soon for the full accreditation of the courses.
“We are appealing to our guests, friends and lovers of education to help us build this nascent department to international standard,” she said.
She said that the department was in need of its own building, classroom furniture and state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, studio/drawing rooms, conference hall, lecture theatres and project vehicles.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Igwe, applauded Dibua for her great achievements within a short period.
Igwe promised that his administration would continue to support and patronise products made by the department.
“The university will provide land to build a befitting departmental building.
“I commend the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology for certifying UNN-SLT department to run courses on science and technology,” he said. (NAN)
– Nov. 8, 2019 @ 15:39 GMT |
Tags: Minister lauds UNN programmes on human capital development
