Education
Why Varsities Should Adopt Astronomy Studies – NASRDA
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The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), on Friday called on universities across the country to consider including Astronomy studies in its curriculum for technological advancement.
Dr Bonaventure Okere, Director, Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSSA), an activity centre of NASRDA, made the call in an interview in Abuja.
According to Okere, very few universities offer Astronomy studies, while the students graduating from the course are left with no option but to seek employment outside the country.
The director said that NASRDA was engaging with schools across the country to encourage them to include astronomy courses in their curriculum.
“We are engaging Nigerian universities to see how they can include Astronomy in their curriculum, because now, we have a handful of schools offering astronomy course.
“We need to invest in astronomy because investing in astronomy means investing in space science technology, and any nation that invests in astronomy is keying into technology development.
“If we have universities that do astronomy, when our students graduate, they will have where to teach.
“Some of them when they finish, they leave the country and cause brain drain in that area, but the moment universities introduce it, there will be jobs and economic development,’’ he said.
According to Okere, space science technology is not only dependent on launching satellites into space, but comprises of the study of objects in space, hence, astronomy.
“Every object in space has an address and some of these addresses are invisible to human eyes and where we cannot reach.
” To build equipment that can reach such objects that are billions of kilometers away, requires technological advancement and investment in astronomy.
“In Nigeria, we assume space science technology is all about satellite launching, which is looking down, we are not looking up which is where you can develop your technology.
“If our country has to key into technology advancement like in other climes, that is why we need to introduce astronomy course in our universities and it will create jobs,’’ he said. (NAN)
Education
Post-UTME: Unilorin Screens 16,097 Candidates for Admission
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Prof. Kamil Rauf, the Director of University of Ilorin’s Computer-Based Centre, on Monday said a total number of 16,097 admission-seekers, attended the institution’s 2024 Post-UTME screening.
Rauf expressed delight over the seamless conduct of the exercise while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin, attributing the huge number to adequate preparations put in place by the university management.
“The success recorded in the exercise was as a result of the material and human resources’ support given to the CBT by the management.
“During the exercise, the centre employed the use of high level technological innovation it put in place by the institution,” he said.
Rauf also noted that the quality of the infrastructure at the CBT had impacted positively on the university’s internal examinations.
He said these included departmental examinations, Institute of Education examinations, Centre for Open and Distance Learning examination (CODL), remedial examinations and Post-UTME screening.
Rauf said that University of Ilorin, was also a centre used to conduct the police and pension service promotion examinations.
“Others include, examinations for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nursing Council of Nigeria, and Agricultural Council of Nigeria, among others,” he said.
The Director was however silent on the number of admission-seekers the university would be giving admission to for the 2024/2025 session.
”I will get back to the media on this once the decision is taken,” he said.(NAN)
Education
UI Students Reject School Fees Increment
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The Students’ Union of the University of Ibadan (UI) on Friday rejected the school fees increment approved by the governing council of the institution.Report says that to show their disapproval, the students staged an overnight protest from 10:20 pm to 2 a.m.The President of the union, Bolaji Aweda; Vice-President, Bolutife Aboderin, and Secretary, Daniel Elemide in a statement, rejected the new fees.
“We reject the decision made by the council. We are embarking a boycott of classes until our demands are fulfilled.“We demand a reversal of the increase. The students demand that the school fees portal should be shut down within 24 hours until our demands were met,” they said.The union leaders urged students to make use of social media platfprms to mobilise others on the #UIFEESMUSTFALL and #SAVEUITES until there demands are met.NAN reports that the governing council of the university on Thursday, approved the increment in school fees of students of the university from 100 to 400 level and also fixed deadline for payment.In a statement signed by the Registrar and secretary to the council, G.O. Saliu and available to UCJUI, the decision was reached at the inaugural meeting of the council held earlier on Thursday and it considered the new levy as recommended by the Senate of the University.Students who have not yet completed their registration, the council said, were advised to do so on or before Sept. 4.“Consequently, students who are yet to pay and complete their registration exercises are advised to do so, on or before Sept. 4, to enable departments download lists of registered students, in preparation for the First Semester Examination,” the release read in part.Additionally, the council urged students to take advantage of financial aids such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and various scholarships offered by the University and other benefactors to assist indigent students.The council also made it clear that there would be no extension of the registration deadline, as the portal will be closed after the specified date.“Council equally directed that students be encouraged to take advantage of the students’ loan fund (NELFUND) and sundry scholarships instituted by the University and other weil-meaning philanthropists, to cater for indigent students.“Above is for strict adherence as the portal will not be opened after the deadline,” the released further clarified.Report says that the deadline for the payment of school fees was initially suspended, following the July protest . (NAN)Education
Tinubu Approves Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, Nasarawa
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President Bola Tinubu has approved the conversion of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, to the Federal University of Lafia Teaching Hospital, Nasarawa.In a statement on Wednesday by Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, he said the approval followed a request by the Nasarawa State government.
“The conversion of the health facility to a federal teaching hospital will not only enhance the training of students in medical and allied sciences but also boost healthcare delivery in the state. “President Tinubu remains committed to ensuring the social welfare and healthcare security of Nigerians.“He will aggressively sustain his administration’s investment drive and efforts in the sector,” he said. (NAN)