By Olayinka Olawale
Lagos – A don, Dr Emeka Epuh, on Wednesday advised the Federal Government to reposition Science and Technology education to create wealth, promote self-reliance and boost the nation’s economy
Epuh of the Department of Surveying and Geo-informatics, University of Lagos gave the advice while speaking as the guest lecturer at the 31st convocation lecture of the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos.
The lecture was titled: “Repositioning Science and Technology Education in Nigeria for Global Relevance”.
He stressed the need for review of the curricular for primary, secondary and tertiary education with the injection of new components that will stimulate growth and global relevance.
The lecturer also called for the better remuneration for scientists and technologists to motivate them to give their best in the development process.
He urged government at all levels to improve funding of education at their respective tiers of governance.
Epuh said that the world was moving forward at a breakneck pace and Nigeria has the responsibility to introduce, encourage and help students to master the science and technology subjects in order to compete favourably with their counterparts globally.
He said that to ensure continued relevance in the dynamic world, science and technological curriculum at the tertiary institutions should be reviewed from time to time.
“Too many teachers, students and administrators are out of touch with the driving culture in science and technological education.
“If we are to attain the global standard, the bridges between science and technical education and innovations in the profession must be made easily accessible for us to attain global relevance.
“We need to reposition our science and technological education in Nigeria, if we are to secure the future of our scientists, engineers and technologists.
The Rector of the College, Dr Margaret Ladipo, in her welcome address, said that to promote science and technological education, tertiary institutions need to employ contemporary technology and develop relevant manpower.
She said that the topic of the lecture was carefully chosen by the academic board of the college, noting that contemporary technology requires that the institutions should acquire cutting edge technology equipment.
“The Pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept) is moving from face to face teachers – student interface to stimulation and ICT driven processes.
“You cannot teach 21st century technology, using processes, methods and tools that have been left behind in the 20th century.
“Institutions must make efforts to replicate the industry in the classroom.
“This is what we have tried to do in the college by establishing the central research laboratory with equipment as marine stimulators, chemical engineering stimulators, mechatronics equipment and other equipment used in the industries,’’ the Rector said.
NAN report that the convocation lecture was part of the week-long programme lined up for the celebration of the 70 years anniversary of the college.
YABATECH, established by the colonial masters in 1947, has produced many great personalities like the late Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (Rtd) and former President Olusegun Obasanjo among others. (NAN)