The Chairman, TNBT Nigeria Limited, an oil servicing firm, Engr. Lucas Akinwale has called on universities to make concerted efforts to collaborate with industries and key players of the economy to promote and market research findings which will in turn translate to innovation and development of all sectors of the economy. He made the call during the Second Annual Lecture of the School of Life Sciences of the Federal University of Technology Akure, on Friday 3rd May 2024.
Speaking on the topic " Academia-Industry Collaboration for Translating Research Outputs for National Development" Akinwale who has over two decades of experience in Pipeline Operations, Project Engineering and Asset Integrity Assurance with Royal Dutch Shell in Europe, USA and Nigeria said, "Networking is an Integral way of building industry. There is a need for a paradigm shift in the way universities carry out their academic responsibilities. Every department on the university must identify related industries to liaise with and provide services for. Science has gone far beyond just teaching and learning, it is about application and solving problems. Every knowledge exists to fill a vacuum."
Engr Akinwale said universities must be intentional about collaboration so as to harness its immense benefits by setting up media teams who can create an industry interface for mutual value addition.
The keynote speaker advocated for more proactive steps by management of tertiary institutions that can promote collaboration. He said " Identify your products in prominent offices and organizations and organize yearly awards in recognition of their achievements. There must be a vibrant university/ alumni interface to elicit favourable goodwill to the university especially in the area of infrastructural development. "
Highlighting more sources of revenue generation and publicity for higher institutions, Akinwale said “experts can be consulted to provide expertise and certification on short courses in centres for vocational training created by the universities. Sabbaticals by academics must be carried out within related industries and not just in other universities. There must also be a review of new and existing research works and focused presentations at conferences” he said scientists must aim to be solution providers as a panacea to an ailing economy and in the long run contribute to national development.
Earlier in her remarks the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji said " to export meaningfully and impactfully, we must add value to our goods, they must be transformed from their raw or natural state into their semi processed or fully processed forms in order to have the desired value. This is where our scientists have a very big role to play".
She said " it is not enough to make discoveries or innovations; they must be taken up by the industry for production on an industrial or commercial scale. We have reached a point in our national life and economy where we must improve our productivity significantly if we intend to remain a nation to be reckoned with."
In his speech the Dean of the School of Life Sciences, Professor Michael Ashamo said " the traditional classroom model of education is no longer enough to prepare students for the workforce. By working with companies or industries students can gain real world experience and develop-ready skills. Research has shown that industries with high levels of collaboration with universities had higher innovation output, high quality patents and more successful new ventures".
The Dean stated that there was a need to incorporate industry projects into coursework, offering practical training sessions or providing access to latest industry equipment and technology. It is important we create a synergy as institutions and researchers with the industry so that products of our research are translated into something useful for national development".
In a goodwill message the Special Adviser to Ondo State on Gender Issues, Chief (Mrs.) Olamide Falana called for a merger between the service economy and the knowledge economy. She said students should utilize programmes like Annual lectures to network with industry stakeholders as part of efforts to gain access to the labour force.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of the award of excellence to Otunba Kayode Olagunju, Chairman/Managing Director, BATOK Nigeria, Limited Lagos.
