President Jonathan to make African University of Science and Technology, Abuja, hub of research and knowledge-base.

[FMINigeria]

                        President Goodluck Jonathan has promised to promote the emergence of African University of Science and technology, Abuja as the hub of research that will contribute to new innovations and discoveries vital to the growth of a knowledge-based economy in the country.  He stated this at the fourth convocation of the University in Abuja.

Represented by the Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Bassey Ita Ewa, the President observed that for Nigeria to develop into one of the leading global economies by the year 2020, the country had to consolidate on the development of world-class capacity in science and technology.

"This has been apparent in case of both the western and Asian countries over the last few centuries.   The industrial revolution was driven, in the case of the western countries, by the advances of science and technology initiated in leading European universities.  Subsequently with the evolution of United States into a global power, the emergence of America as the world's leading economy after the end of the World War was similarly facilitated by leading United States universities", he said.

He stated that in recognition of science and technology as the engine room of growth and prosperity, the Federal Government facilitated the establishment of the African University of Science and Technology, Abuja and granted the institution a diplomatic status to employ and admit Africans with a view to fast-tracking capacity building in science and technology on the continent.

Dr. Jonathan expressed concern about the dearth of scientists and engineers required to drive industrial revolution in Africa and stressed the need for concerted efforts by stakeholders to develop a critical mass of human capacity in science and technology.

The President was pleased to see the evolution of close interactions between the university and the oil and gas industry in the country and hoped that the progressive and beneficial partnership would be extended to other sectors.

In her remarks, the Chair, Board of Directors, African University of Science and Technology, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala charged the graduating students to deploy the knowledge acquired to the development of Africa and expressed delight that within five years, graduates of the university have started to make impact across the continent.

She said, "To our graduates, I urge you to remember that much is expected of you in the years ahead.  We expect you to lead lives of service in which you use your knowledge of science, technology and innovation, to contribute to the sustainable development of Africa".

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said since inception in 2008, the university trained students from 19 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

In his address, President of the University, Professor Wole Soboyejo urged the graduating students to correct the mistakes of the past and use the continent's rich human and natural resources to build a new generation of African Lions, just like the Asian Tigers.

He told the graduating students to let wisdom be their guide and never shy away from taking calculated risks but strive towards perfection and lead lives of service to their community and the continent.

The high point of the occasion was the conferment of the first PhD of the University on Yekini Shehu, who bagged Doctorate in Pure and Applied Mathematics as well as the conferment of Master's of Science on 64 students.

Information Minister, Mr. Labaran Maku and the Chief Economic Adviser to the President Dr. Nwanze Okidegbe delivered goodwill messages on the occasion.

So far, the University has graduated 270 students from the Faculties of Pure and Applied Mathematics, Petroleum Engineering, Computer Science, Theoretical Physics and Materials Science and Engineering.

Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria