Commends YABATECH on judicious utilisation of funds
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has called for the commercialisation of research outputs, saying taxpayer-funded research should lead to visible development.
Member representing southwest zone on the Board of Trustees of TETFund, Mr Sunday Adepoju, who stated this while inspecting the agency’s funded projects at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), also expressed satisfaction with how the institution is utilising funds allocated to it to drive infrastructural and academic development.
While tasking lecturers on the commercialisation of their works, Adepoju said it is not enough to carry out research, as there are many investors out there willing to turn research outputs into products that can serve humanity.
He said the institution has made judicious use of its allocations to drive infrastructural and academic development. Adepoju, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on Alternative Energy for tertiary institutions, described TETFund’s investments in the college as a demonstration of practical and theoretical knowledge integration.
He said: “What YABATECH has done is to combine both practical and theoretical knowledge, and execute projects without abandonment or distress.” Adepoju lauded President Bola Tinubu’s education reforms, noting that the student loan scheme, for instance, was aimed at making higher education more accessible.
Besides, he disclosed that the federal government has earmarked N70 billion for alternative energy projects across some institutions to reduce dependence on the national grid.
He enjoined students to be focused and shun vices, while urging lecturers
to give their best, bearing in mind that they are moulding future leaders.
The event also featured the inauguration of the school’s Workplace Learning Hub for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills training sponsored by TETFund.
The Rector, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, said the hub would upgrade informal apprenticeship and promote advancement of skills under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
Abdul described the initiative as a testament to the commitment of the institution and TETfund to promote education and skills development in the country. While commending the agency for its support and investment in the institution, the rector noted that the learning hub will provide training programmes tailored to meet the needs of the industry, ensuring that students are job-ready and equipped to tackle real-world challenges.
“YABATECH is proud to be at the forefront of skills development, and this hub will play a pivotal role in equipping our students with the knowledge and expertise required to excel in the ICT sector,” Abdul added.
Some of the projects inspected by the agency include the School of Management and Business Studies, the Digital Academy and Workplace Learning Hub, as well as an ICT workplace station, newly created and equipped at the Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos.
