YABATECH collaborates with industry partners on skills acquisition

Chairman, Governing Council, Prof Funsho Afolabi(left); Overall winner of the Innovation Project competition, Dr. Oloketuyi Samson, Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul; Director, Centre for Linkages, Partnerships and International Relations, Dr. Mosud Ajala; and Director, Centre for Technology Marketing and Products Development, Dr. Peter Okolie at ‘A Day with Industry Partners,’ held at the Yaba College of Technology, recently.

As part of efforts to foster collaboration between town and gown, the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) recently organised ‘A day with industry partners,’ to prepare students for the world of work.

Speaking at the well-attended event, the Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said the collaboration would drive innovation, provide internships, and support enterprise development, ensuring students gain practical experience beyond the classroom. He emphasised the importance of industry awareness, adding that the programme would help in building a stronger academia-industry linkages.

Abdul also underscored the need for research collaborations, noting that YABATECH has over 1,000 qualified staff who can contribute to industry development

“We want skills, we want mentorship, so that we can create a pathway for our students to gain not just theoretical knowledge, but first-hand industry experience before they graduate,” Abdul stated.

Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Prof. Funsho Afolabi, identified skills development as a tool for addressing societal challenges.
Afolabi described the event as bridging the gap between town and gown, and fostering academia-industry collaboration.

The Director, Centre for Linkages, Partnership and Internal Relations, Dr Moshood Ajala, said the event was a testament to the college shared vision of transforming education, research and skills development to meet global standards.

The event also witnessed the presentation of Award for Innovation to staff and students who submitted innovative projects. Cash award prizes, ranging between N200,000 and N500,000 were presented to winners for their outstanding performance in the industry related projects.

Dr Oloketuyi Samson, who came first, worked on local charcoal stove, and won N500,000; while Dr Ofodile Lauretta, who emerged first runner up worked on cooking utensils and got a cash prize of N300,000, while the second runner up prize of N200,000 went to Mr Chinatoye Simeon.

Two outstanding students, Olorunfemi Emmanuel and Olatunbosun Oluwatofunmi, who participated but came fourth and fifth were rewarded with N150,000 and N100,000 respectively.