The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) has called for the establishment of industry-based laboratories within the institution, similar to those in Chinese higher institutions, to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.
The Rector of the college, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, who made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the China-Africa Business Council, led by its Vice Chairman, Diana Chen, said the laboratories should be well-equipped to enhance the training of students and ensure they graduate with relevant skills.
He said: “Most of the laboratories put up by institutions do not meet the needs of the industry; hence, the essence of expanding our collaboration.”
Abdul said the college was ready to provide space, laboratories and workshops to facilitate exchange training, while also accommodating students from outside the institution.
“We can run the laboratories as a business centre for income generation,” he added. The call came as YABATECH and CIG reviewed their existing partnership, under which 25 students from the School of Engineering are undergoing an 18-month course at Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College, China.
The collaboration, involving Hangzhou VTC, Choice International Investment Company Limited, and CIG Motors Company Limited, is being implemented under the “Silk Road College” framework, aimed at serving as an educational and learning centre for international exchanges.
The Rector noted that the initiative is part of nine projects proposed at the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation on capacity building and humanistic exchange.
“The aim is to help Africa cultivate needed talents, upgrade schools, and strengthen vocational education links between China and Africa,” he said. Abdul noted that the 25 students distinguished themselves in China with excellent academic performances and extra-curricular activities.
In addition to the scholarship provided by the Chief Diana Foundation, five of the students won extra scholarships worth N2m, while another won N1m in academic competitions.
The group leader was also given the ambassadorial status of CIG Motors for showing leadership qualities. In her address, Chen disclosed that her conglomerate would henceforth employ 200 fresh graduates of the college every year, as part of her plan for the 78-year-old institution.
Already, she noted that about 96 students had worked with CIG through internship programmes, with 30 per cent retained for full employment. She also called for immediate implementation of another batch of 30 sponsored exchange students once the current 25 return in November, this year.
During the meeting, she gave automatic employment to two students from the School of Art, Design and Printing, for their spontaneous creativity in drawing portraits of her and a colleague on the spot.
