By Mohammed Mohammed
In a bid to concretise the collaboration for the much-needed transformation of Nigeria’s Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) ecosystem, the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) have activated a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the establishment of a centre for reverse engineering and innovation at the university.
Speaking at the signing ceremony at NASENI Headquarters in Idu Industrial Estate, Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, said it is gladdening to know that the agency has the much competencies needed for collaboration in reverse engineering, innovation and by extension manufacturing, adding, that the synergy will also assist NASENI deliver on its mandate.
On why the MoU has become more expedient, Haruna, said: “We have been collaborating with organisations within and outside Nigeria, we can now say that charity starts from home by ensuring that our next-door neighbour is in active collaboration with NASENI.”
The EVC, however regretted the drawback in the signing of the MoU, which began in 2014, adding: I’m happy that we are working towards the revival of your engineering programmes.
On the university’s accreditation in engineering courses, the EVC, noted that the NASENI has supported the University through volunteering some of its professors when the NUC and UNESCO teams visited the institution separately some years back.
He said: “We are supposed to also reach out to you and I’m glad that you now have specifics to what you want to offer to us and it will make it easier because it is in line with our mandate.
“Instead of sending our staff abroad to acquire higher degrees they will now study in your school and not deplete our workforce and through sharing of resources for the advancement of Nigeria because no one can be an island.”
In a remark, the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University, Prof. Abdul-Rasheed Na-Allah, expressed appreciation to NASENI management on their willingness to fast track the deal which though started in 2014, adding, as a university, we feel strongly that that a lot of things have to be done for Nigeria’s transformation and development.
He said: “I want to thank NASENI for being at the forefront of the achievements that you have attained and as a university we have been thinking of the next step and strategy so that Nigeria can overcome its present challenges.
Na’Allah, however admitted Nigeria is not there yet despite its abundant natural and human resource endowments, stressing that Nigeria is one of the most endowed nations in the world.
“Here, in Nigeria, we have resources everywhere and because NASENI is created to assist in the infrastructure development we would not have a greater commitment and aspiration especially being in Abuja other than to work with you.”
Also speaking, Dr. Hadijat Arogundade, Head of Mechanical Engineering Department of the university, said two-point agenda are of priority in the MoU: the renewal of the MoU established in October 2014 and the proposal for the establishment of the Centre for Reverse Engineering and Innovation to be located within the university.
According to her, the ceremony is an epoch event because both organisations will start exploring opportunities that is available and opened, stressing that the objectives of the MoU, include: capacity building, access to advanced manufacturing laboratories for the establishment of joint research and obligations, post graduate programmes in engineering participation in seminars and industrial meetings, development of university and industry partnership, integration of graduates for industrial training, joint research activities and communications of research in science and engineering and exchange of faculty members.
She revealed that it is gladdening to note that some staffers of NASENI are presently running one programme or the other at the university both at Masters and Ph.D levels, explaining, that they are doing well.
