UNN to host confab on achievements in science, technology

THE Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, is looking forward to showcasing “lots of materials” from the institution’s Science and Tech Park, which he noted, “have set UNN apart as a foremost university.”

The forum for the display will be the sixth African Regional Conference of Vice Chancellors and Deans of Science, Engineering and Technology (COVIDSET), which UNN will host at the Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, for four days (October 4-7, 2015).

At a press briefing at the Enugu campus of the institution, the Vice Chancellor said that UNN “will be the first university in Nigeria to host such a prestigious African conference in Nigeria. The Conference will indeed offer us a good opportunity to showcase Nigeria and her rich potentials.”

The gathering, a biannual African regional conference, is organised by the African Network of Science and Technological Institutions (ANSTI) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in partnership with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

The Vice Chancellor noted: “This year’s COVIDSET will provide a platform for African leaders and policy-makers to exchange ideas, share experiences and good practices, sensitise policy-makers and university leaders on current and emerging trends in science, technology and innovation (SETI) for global competiveness and develop strategies and actions for enhancing university education and training for high post 2015.”

Admitting that UNN as the host has a huge challenge to make the 2015 conference a success, Prof. Ozumba said that the conference is usually well attended and “we are expecting over 350 participants from among leaders of institutions responsible for teaching and research from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. These will include vice chancellors, deans of faculties and heads of academic departments in all African universities. In addition, agencies and companies involved in the promotion of science and technology in Africa will also be participating.”

Certain that the university will make a success of the hosting, the Vice Chancellor said: “UNN is in the right place at the right time. The institution is the centre of academic excellence; we are the second best in Nigeria and 13th in Africa. People will be able to see what is happening in Africa in UNN. We won’t just be talking about Nigeria, we are talking about Africa.”