FUPRE partners Prestige Auto on engineering workshop

Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE), yesterday, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Prestige Auto and Machines Limited to establish a world-class automobile repairs and maintenance workshop within the university on Monday July 4, 2022.

The proposed FUPRE Auto Engineering Workshop, according to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Chris Ajuwa, would bridge existing skill gaps in mechanical/auto-engineering, electrical engineering, fabrication and computer science, by equipping students with a wide range of technical know-how and experiences to operate across the automotive industry value chain in any part of the globe.

At the signing ceremony, Prof. Ajuwa who represented the VC, Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, commended the initiative, describing it is as a mutually-beneficial venture to both organisations. He expressed optimism that the project would afford students the opportunity to explore their potentials, imbibe the entrepreneurial spirit for career advancement and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.

The Executive Director, Projects, Uloko Ibe, who represented Prestige Auto, said FUPRE’s vision of graduating students with cutting-edge skills is consistent with the company’s mission of providing technical education for youths, particularly in higher institutions in Nigeria and across Africa.

He described the partnership as a paradigm shift from theoretical learning to practical education with requisite experiential and industrial skill-set, competencies, and international certifications to function in the global economy, saying the company will metamorphose into an automobile assembling plant in the future.

FUPRE’s acting Director, Strategic Plan and Implementation (SPI), Dr. Juliet Emudianughe, said the collaboration was part of the university’s effort to establish an ultra-modern automobile training workshop for hands-on practical experience by students, adding that the project will be completed and commissioned within one year.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by several senior staff of the university, including the Registrar, Mrs. J. E. Omoyine; Mr. Garba Yau’ Nabayi, Bursar; Musa Isyaku Director, Physical Planning; Head, Legal Unit, Aminu Muhammad and External Coordinator (SPI), Prof. Chukwuma Nwose.