By Polycarp Auta
Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, former Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has called on the Plateau Government to establish a University of Technology and Innovation.
Bogoro, repreneted by Prof. Emmanuel Kwandung, made this known while delivering the 8th and 9th Combined Convocation Lecture of the Plateau State University, Bokkos, on Friday, in Bokkos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the convocation lecture is themed, “Growing a Young University Through Academic Excellence in a Dynamic World: Problems and Prospects”.
The don said that his call for the establishment of a specialised university was to enable the state to keep pace with national and global trends.
“As a blueprint, I’m probably saying here that there is a need for a second State University for Plateau.
“And I’m strategically proposing a University of Technology and Innovation, to keep pace with national and global trends.
“This will focus on Engineering, ICT and Artificial Intelligence, Renewable Energy, Green Industry, Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing, Geospatial and Earth Systems,” he said.
The former TETFund boss, who argued that an additional university would boost the academic frontiers of Plateau, insisted that the move would also promote science and technology.
Bogoro, who cited some states with more than one state-owned universities, maintained that a specialised university in Plateau was long overdue.
“Presently, Delta, Lagos and Ogun, have three state-owned universities each; it is the same in many southern states.
“In northern Nigeria, Kano, Gombe, Borno and lately, Benue, have two state universities each.
“Now, Plateau needs to act and let the world know we are ready to be competitive, especially through aggressive promotion of science technology and engineering in line with the demands of the 21st Century.
“This is the goal of this proposal, and it is expected that this will catalyse the state’s innovation, ecosystems and acknowledge economy,” he said.
The guest lecturer further tasked the state university on promoting research that would boost smart agriculture, peace, security, and tourism, among others.
Earlier, Prof. Shadrach Best, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, thanked Bogoro for accepting to share his wealth of knowledge with the university community.
Best promised to lead the university, going forward, using global academic standards. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Mark Longyen
