From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State has identified science, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship as the bedrock of any meaningful development in society.
This was the focus of the 4th international conference and exhibition organised by the Faculty of Physical Sciences of the Chukwuemeka Odumwgwu Ojukwu University, Uli, Anambra State in association with Anambra State Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
In the 5-day programme which featured presentations from academia and other resource persons outside the campus, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Greg Nwakoby said the theme of this year’s conference: Advancing Nigerian Content Development for Industrial Productivity and Sustainable Digital Economy was apt.
Apt in the sense that, according to him, it was in line with the State government’s desire of creating a technologically advanced and economic viable State.
The VC noted that it had been the vision of the founding fathers of the University to raise students who were grounded in science and technology, research and innovations to serve as springboards to sustainability and economic emancipation.
The Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Prof Kingsley Nwozor while addressing the conference noted that the event tagged FAPSCON 2022 was special as it was the first time the faculty was working with the newly created Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, described as one of the legacy ministries of the Soludo administration.
“We are also deepening our contacts and networks under the Triple Helix Plus model of connecting academia, government, industry and civil society.
“In all these, we are hastening the push for university industrialisation as envisioned by our Vice Chancellor, Prof Greg Nwakoby. The wide acceptance of the conference across all shades of opinion and societal strata is an eloquent testimony that the FAPSCON message is pleasant and penetrative, ” Prof Nwozor said.
He explained that the theme and activities of this year’s conference and exhibitions were to a very large extent, the implementation of the communique of last year’s conference.
He said that the faculty had this time around brought secondary schools on board under the banner of the Young Scientists and Future Innovators Programme (YSFIP). He told the conference that the idea was to build the scientific confidence of secondary school students and to navigate them ahead of their peers through the exciting world of innovations.
He noted that the event had also exposed students of the university including fresh graduates and young professionals to live in the digital era through the capacity-building workshop on career growth and survival strategies in a digital economy.
“Against this backdrop, this year’s conference has been designed to fast-track the pace of our university on the highway of university industrialisation as we activate the Industrial Research and Innovation Endowment Fund ( IRIEF). This is a special purpose vehicle for funding and supporting industry-defined research focus areas which aligns with the Nigerian Content Development agenda for the development of local technology and indigenous solutions for industries and businesses, ” he noted.
The Chairman, local organising committee, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), Prof Osita Chiaghanam on his part said he was excited with the renewed vigour with which the Faculty had made its international conference an annual event, describing it as a huge success for the Faculty and the university at large.
He noted that the working relationship between the Faculty and the new Anambra State Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources as the parent of the ministry of science and technology was robust and symbolic.
“Oil and gas, no doubt, is a jealous business but we are hopeful that science, technology and innovation will in no distant time be a standalone ministry given the high intellectual capacity and digital visions of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Soludo.
“As a hub of academic excellence and upcoming industrial web of possibilities, the general public is invited to note the academic and infrastructural development in the Faculty. The six programmes in the Faculty are fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
“The fruits of this clean bill of health by the NUC are further made manifest in the quality of our graduates, international engagements, quality of research output, staff rating and students satisfaction experience, ” Prof Chiaghanam said.
In his paper presentation, the State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr Tony Ifeanya noted that the theme of the conference had captured extensive references Governor Soludo had made on his vision and goals for Anambra State during his inaugural address.
He encouraged the need for every school child to be receiving 21st-century education in the digital age.
The Commissioner said that the Soludo administration was working to transition the state into a non-oil economy framework via the 21st-century imperative of ‘everything technology’ to improve productivity, economic growth and social progress.
“Science, technology and innovation have been identified by the Department of State of the United States Government as the dominant forces in modern society and international economic development.
“The department executes public policy programmes that promote the value of science to the general public; implements capacity-building programmes in emerging markets that train young men and women to become science and technology entrepreneurs; and strengthens innovation ecosystems globally, ” the Commissioner said.
Secondary Schools within and outside Anambra State that participated in the conference with their various exhibitions were Divine Rays British School, Obosi; Regina Pacis Madel Secondary School, Onitisha and Chosen International School.
Personalities which cut across academia, government, commerce and industry and various vocations graced the conference.