Kunle Adelabu
The Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has opened door for collaboration with the government and the industrial sector in developing the institution and the nation at large.
LASUSTECH, which recently transmuted from a Polytechnic, organized an interactive session with government and industrial functionaries to find ways of working together in a way that is mutually beneficial to all.
This tripartite forum, according to the institution, would also bring about engaging the government to continue to make policies that would enhance the seamless collaboration between the industries and the academia.
The maiden edition of the session tagged, ‘LASUSTECH-Industry-Government Interactive Session’, took place at the Governing Council Chamber, LASUSTECH main campus, on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Dr Oluremi Nurudeen Olaleye, acting Vice Chancellor, LASUSTECH, speaking at the event, said that the gathering was a direct interaction between the institution, government and industries while also describing it as a beginning of cooperation that will benefits everyone.
“I am particularly excited to welcome you to this session because it marks the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between the industries, Government and the Academia”, the acting Vice Chancellor said.
“The Institution has convened this session to discuss directly with the representatives of industries within our locality and to chart a course for collaborations that will solve socio-economic and industrial problems for the greater good of our society.
“You will agree with me that we cannot bridge the gap between theoretical teachings and its practicality in isolation, therefore, the academic institution where theoretical framework is being formulated, the industries that specialize in the utilization of the knowledge impacted by the academia and the Government who makes policies need to work hand in gloves for the advancement of the nation at large”, he said.
He appealed to participants to contribute in way that will clearly shows challenges being confronted in to enable the institution know what solution to proffer.
He listed areas that the institution will be willing to collaborate.
“I will like you to know that we are open to discussions on possible ways that the university can help solve problems confronting the industries through engaging in research and creation of innovative products. With the right funding, such products can be commercialized and multiplied.
“In this short interactive session, I encourage us to be open to development driven discussions on the various ways of possible collaboration between the academia and the industries. For sure, the academia will be interested in teaming up in the areas of: Research and Development activities that would result to commercialization of ideas;Leveraging the power/role of science and technology which will translate to innovation as an engine of development and Training of skilled manpower to drive innovative courses that will evolve into practical development.
“Permit me to state that, as much as the academia is the bedrock of innovation and knowledge, its innovation and knowledge should be geared towards solving societal problems, hence the call on various industries for deliberations on possible areas of research relationships and knowledge transfer partnership.
Other areas of possible collaborations listed by the LASUSTECH VC are: Creation of infrastructure such as power, transportation, natural gas distribution and telecommunications; Food security; Human Capital/Resources training and Development and Wealth creation through skills acquisition and development.
Dr Olumide Metielu, acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), LASUSTECH, who spoke with THE IMAPCT, said that the institution is laying good foundation for an enduring university system.
He said that the initiative will further improve the institution’s relationship with the community, adding that the engagement will be a continuous thing.
“Now, you are aware that we have transmuted from a Polytechnic to a University status, it is imperative for us to ensure that we start on the right foundation. We also recognize the fact that for us to move our society forward, there is a need for town and gown relationship”, Dr Metilelu said.
“It is within that context that industry, government and academia must interact so that they know what we are doing and we will also know what their problems are so that we can proffer solutions in order to move our nation forward.
“The way forward is for us to identify our strength as an institution, the moment we do that, we also need to ensure that we focus based on our strength and of course this interactive session is not a one – off thing, we also need to focus on creating sub – groups or committees and if there are challenges in agriculture, the sub – group in agriculture will handle that and if there are challenges in engineering, that the committee responsible will look into it.
“Lucky enough for us, various government parastatals that we invited attended and that is a signal that government is interested in what we are doing. The next line of action will be that whatever that we needed to do or whenever we need support from the government, we have those agencies of the government with us.
“Once they are here, it means that they key into the vision of the university. The way forward now is for us to now sit down and develop a framework that would follow up this interactive session’’, Metilelu added.
Also speaking with our reporter, Mr Olujimi Ige, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Wealth Creation, Lagos State, commended the initiative and pledged continuous government support.
“It’s a good initiative. It is also good that the institution is bringing the gown and the industries together, because the gown is supposed to be feeding the industries and the communication from industries supposed to come back to the gown so that they can improve on their researches and make the society a better one”, Mr Ige said.
“The essence is that we are coming together and the government is providing necessary support for us to achieve the goal.
“The government has always been supportive of the institution and that is why the initiative came to change from a Polytechnic to a University, because the focus on technology denotes that we are going to have more mechanization in terms of agriculture, ICT improvement and part of the themes of this government is the 21st century technology innovation.
“We are just starting and the better days are coming. This initiative, I am sure with the support and the zeal that I saw at that meeting, will go places”, he said.
Mrs Toyin Anjous – Ademuyiwa, Entrepreneurship Programme Board, University of Lagos (UNILAG), charged management of the new university to develop new partnership with private sectors not only for the purpose of transferring knowledge, but also to access funding.
“My suggestion is for universities to foster entrepreneurship. Universities all over the world are embracing entrepreneurship as part of their academic process and experience”, she said.
“Creating culture where innovative thinking inspires and empowering. So, you should give opportunity to students to feel that they are part the of the leadership process that makes decision.
“The second thing is to develop partnership with private sector. Universities also need to develop new partnership with leading companies, foundations, associations and research institutions. These partnerships are not just about transferring of skills or knowledge but they also provide useful funding for talented students and universities.
“It is something that you need to look at by designing a framework.
Other scholars, government officials and representatives of companies at the session also commended the initiative which they said would help in developing the institution and also assists in the national development if well framed and implemented.
