FUTO collaborates with nine institutions to boost research

• Sends SOS to FG on land encroachment by host communities
As part of efforts to boost research in science and other related areas, the authorities of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with nine research and science-based institutions both home and abroad.

The vice chancellor, Prof. Francis Chukwuemeka Eze who disclosed this to journalists at the institution’s council chamber to mark his second year in office, identified the institutions involved in the collaboration to include the Nigeria Air Force, Institute of Metal Research, Shenyang, China, Shenyang Technology University, Northeast University, University of Chemical Technology, International Micro emissions University, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Offshore Technology Management, Port Harcourt and the National Centre for Technology Management, Ile-Ife. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), is among the institutions, Eze disclosed.

According to Eze, the National Universities Commission (NUC), in 2017 assessed FUTO and other institutions of higher learning, which led to its emergence as the “Overall best in the first ever Open Education Resources (OER).

Also, the VC said a member of academic staff of the institution from the department of Public Health, Dr. Uchechukwu Chukwuocha, was recently selected for the 2018/2019 U.S Fullright Scholarship in the African Research Scholar Program.

He added that due to enabling environment created by his administration, 12 additional academic staff members were awarded fellowships by various professional bodies.Meanwhile, the institution has sent a Save Our Soul (SOS) message to the federal government, seeking its urgent intervention on issues affecting the school.
Essentially, Eze accused the host community of encroaching on its land acquired over 30 years ago.