NAN-H-80
Underfunding
By Usman Aliyu
Ilorin, Feb. 8, 2017 (NAN) Prof. John Adesiji Olorunmaiye, the Vice-Chancellor, Crown Hill University, Ilorin, on Wednesday identified underfunding of research in tertiary institutions as the bane of science and technology development in the country.
Olorunmaiye, who is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering, said this in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.
“The research grants provided by the Tertiary Education TrustFund (TETFUND) are grossly inadequate to meet the country’s innovation demands.
“There is also a need for government to provide enough research grants for researchers to access.
“The need for the country to develop its technology locally to produce what the people consume instead of largely depending on foreign goods cannot be over emphasised,’’ he said.
Olorunmaiye advocated for better funding of Nigerian universities to meet the purpose for their establishment and to be able to adapt to new technologies.
Expressing dismay with the industrial sector for not turning academic researches into laboratory use, he urged them not to allow these researches lie fallow in the archives of tertiary institutions.
The don also called on government to enhance and improve the country’s infrastructural development to create an enabling environment for local industries to grow.
He further urged the Federal Government to mandate commercial banks to provide long-term loans at single interest rate for investors to promote local businesses.
The vice-chancellor said that Crown Hill University was established to meet the people’s higher education demands and to commit to teachings, research and community development.
Olorunmaiye said the National University Commission (NUC) had approved 15 academic programmes for the university to commence the 2016/2017 session.
He added that the University of Ilorin had been chosen as its mentor. (NAN)
AUO/COF/OJO
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(Edited by Oluyinka Fadare/Mufutau Ojo)