Abuja – The Committee of Deans of Engineering and Technology of Nigerian Universities (CODET) has called for improved science and technology education and training in the country.
The Chairman of CODET, Prof. Emmanuel Ajav, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja when he led delegates of CODET on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu in his office.
Ajav said “we are here to bring to your notice the need to urgently step-up science and technology education and training in
Nigeria to enhance our country’s development.
“Science and technology, being the backbone of development as demonstrated in advanced countries, need to be given special attention.”
According to him, the Committee suggests that the Federal Government should establish a well-equipped technical college in every state of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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He added that all science and technology textbooks should be supplied at subsidised rates to students of SSS1 to SS3 in science-based schools throughout the country.
The chairman said science and technology faculties should be given tasks with specific problems to be solved within a specific period which could be done on regional basis.
“All science and technology parastatals should have at least one core academician on their boards.
“The funding of science and technology at university level should reflect the admission policy of ratio 60 to 40, with science taking 60, while humanities takes 40,” he said.
Ajav added that engineering personnel in education and training should be given enhanced allowances to encourage greater output.
The chairman said CODET members were ready to assist the ministry in any way possible to ensure that the minister succeeded in his enormous assignments.
The professor solicited the ministry`s support for CODET activities and for its First National Engineering and Technology Students’ Competition scheduled for June.
Responding, Onu said the ministry was ready to “embrace“ any stakeholders that had visions to actualise stated objectives of the ministry to grow Nigeria.
The minister urged CODET, as a forum, to do more in meeting, discussing and sharing ideals on issues relating to training of engineering students for brighter future.
He further urged the Committee to maintain its mandate to develop and review curriculum, as well as the overall development of the engineering education in the country. (NAN)