Education
UniLag Attracts N5bn Research Grant, Invents Zero Emission Car
The University of Lagos has attracted at least N5 billion from international agencies in the last one year to drive research activities.
Prof. Dixon Akinleye, Chairman, Sub Committee (Abstract), made the disclosure at a news conference in Lagos to announce the institution’s 14th Research Conference and Fair.
He said that the university would, at the conference andfair, showcase a zero emission car invented from the funding.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference will take place from August 21 – 23 with the theme: “Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Opportunities for 21st Century Research and Development”.
Akinleye said that the foreign grants had gone a long way in supporting the university in its quest for more research activities and innovations.
“In the last one year, this university has attracted about N5 billion by way of external funding for research and development.
“One of such grants is for the invention of a zero emission car which is one of the things to be showcased at the forthcoming conference.
“Prof. Samson Adeosun, Lead Scientist, led a group of students from the Faculty of Engineering to achieve this feat.
“Also, part of what this grant has done for us as an institution is that some teams are looking at coming up with a solar refrigerator and cooler as well as solar incubator.
“We also have a group that has already developed a more efficient brake pad made from re-cycled materials.
“This too was carried out by students from the Faculty of Engineering (Metallurgical and Material) and supervised by Prof. Olumuyiwa Agunsoye,” he said.
According to the don, these feats, among other reasons, are why the university is ranked internationally as the best in Nigeria and the 12th best in Africa.
He added that activities such as the research fair are organised to position the university among the top three in the next three years.
He called on captains of industries and the general public to support and appreciate research by partnering with the institution, saying that research remained key to national development and growth.
“Research is big business. Government has been doing its bit but cannot do it all alone.
“There is need for collaboration between town and gown,” he said.
Prof. Abayomi Okalawon, Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, said that the university would continue to attract young academics into industries.
He described the conference and fair as olympic, adding that it would be more interesting as innovations by the university and partnering institutions would be showcased.
Some of the sub-themes at the event are Telecommuting, People and Organisational Outcomes, Ethical Issues in Artificial Intelligence Deployment and Digitalisation of Local Research for Global Impact.
NAN reports that Dr Dere Awosika, an Independent non Executive Director of Access Bank, would be the keynote speaker at the conference.
The conference is sponsored by the university, with Air Peace Airlines, Union Bank, Access Bank and Vitafoam Nigeria among others as co-sponsors. (NAN)
The Federal Government says it has no plan to slash scholarship students’ allowances as recently projected in the media.The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, stated this during a meeting with the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja on Friday.
Report says that there was a report that the ministry, through the Federal Scholarship Board, announced a slash in allowances of foreign scholars stranded in Russia, Morocco, and Algeria among others.
The slash in scholars’ allowances under the federal government’s Bilateral Educational Agreement Scholarship (BEA) was attributed to the economic crises.Mamman said that there was no slash in scholars` allowances but rather an adjustment due to Foreign Exchange fluctuations (FOREX).“We want to clarify what has been in the media on allowances paid to scholars under the Bilateral Scholarship Agreement.“We want to place it on record that the ministry and the Federal Government for that matter have not slashed the allowances due to students.“What happened is some adjustments in the amount due to them because of FOREX fluctuations, and as soon as we get the balance we have applied for, we will pay them.“But for now, what is in the budget is what we can pay. So, there is no slash, we will even be happy to increase, so this is what has led to the adjustments,” he said.(NAN) By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
Ahead of the Federal Education Sector Games (FEDUGAM) slated for Bauchi, the Federal Ministry of Education has unveiled the mascot for the 4th edition named “FEDUGAM-Bauchi 2024,” at a ceremony held in Abuja.
Speaking during the unveiling, the Minister of Education, Prof.
Tahir Mamman, represented by the Minister of State, Dr. Tanko Yusuf Sununu, expressed profound gratitude to attendees for their unwavering support and dedication to advancing the education sector.In a statement by the Director Press and PR, Folasade Boriowo, the Minister noted that FEDUGAM serves as a cornerstone for fostering camaraderie, sportsmanship, and community spirit among educators, administrators, students, and staff.
“The newly unveiled mascot embodies the values of physical fitness, teamwork, perseverance, and fair play, and is set to inspire participants throughout the games” the statement stated
Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, reiterated the importance of the games in promoting unity, friendship, fitness, and mental alertness among the Ministry and Agency staff.
She expressed gratitude to everyone involved in organizing the event and encouraged participants to compete with integrity and enjoy the games.
Chairman of the FEDUGAM Steering Committee, Omotayo F. Adeyemi, welcomed attendees and thanked the Minister and other dignitaries for their presence despite their busy schedule.
He harped on the mascot’s significance in representing the spirit of the games and thanked the organizing committee for their relentless efforts.
Adeyemi called for widespread support from ministries, agencies, corporate organizations, and partners to ensure the success of FEDUGAM Bauchi 2024.
FEDUGAM Bauchi 2024 is scheduled to take place from August 3-10, 2024, at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi State.
The event aims to celebrate educational achievements and foster unity within the sector, with the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, graciously hosting and supporting the event.
“As the games approach, the entire Ministry stands united in support, echoing the spirit of the mascot unveiled today. Let us come together to celebrate our shared achievements and work towards a brighter future for our education sector,” the statement added.
From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu
The Executive Chairman of Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Associate Professor Hyginus Banko Okibe has flagged off the 2022/2023 Agricultural Education training programme for head teachers, teachers, and pupils at Independence Layout Primary School, Enugu.
Professor Okibe emphasized the importance of agriculture for economic development and growth, stressing that the country’s major problem is hunger due to people not engaging in farming activities anymore.
He noted that schools should be exposed to agricultural skills and technology; he however announced that there will be an agricultural trade fair, where produce from all schools will be showcased.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Nwabueze Ubru, in a keynote address, highlight the importance of agriculture, stating that without it, there will be no life.
He disclosed that 12,000 bags of fertiliser will be distributed to registered farmers in the state and noting that non-farmers will not receive farming inputs and fertilisers.
Ubru reiterated that agriculture occupies an important space in the Governor’s vision and manifesto as one of the developmental areas for reviving the economy.
He said that Enugu State has introduced dry season farming with solar pumping machines and embarked on three-cycle rice production, making it the largest producer of cassava in the country.
He further disclosed plans to establish agricultural processing industries in the three senatorial zones of the state.
Dr. Amaka S. Ngene, Executive Chairman of STVSMB and former Permanent Member of ENSUBEB, appreciated the guests and emphasized that the agricultural education training programme is child-centered, aimed at making agriculture a future career or hobby for the pupils.
She enumerated the objectives of the training, including the provision of requisite skills for self-employment.
Hon. Nwakaego Ajah, Permanent Member 3, thanked the Executive Governor of Enugu State, the Executive Chairman of ENSUBEB, and UBEC for the initiative in making Agricultural Science more practical-oriented at the Basic Schools.
She urged the learners and teachers to take the training serious and also promote their dignity in labour.
The event featured lectures on food crops, planting, and care, and the distribution of farm inputs and plants to various schools.
The highlight of the occasion was the decoration of Dr. Amaka Ngene by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation.
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