The multi-faceted approach of ‘bringing the classroom closer to the industry’ by Bells University of Technology, Ota towards enhancing the employability of its graduates is both commendable and worthy of emulation by other citadels of knowledge. To give light to this dream, it has continued to engage in pragmatic partnerships with corporate organizations such as Ericson, Indo Marine Nigeria Ltd, ZENTEC Nigeria, Whitechapel Integrated Concepts, Doret Technologies, OSC College of Fashion, Phoenix Automobile Workshop and Peugeot Automobile of Nigeria as key drivers of this virile vision. This initiative falls in tandem with the clarion call made by several Nobel Laureates in science at the end of the World Science Conference held in Jerusalem, Israel in August 2015, that the time to transfer knowledge in related fields to the younger generation is now.
In fact, it is worthy of note that long before this call, BELLSTECH led by the erudite Vice Chancellor, Isaac Adeyemi, a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences (FAS) has seen the wisdom in breeding employable graduates. In this wise, partnerships have been forged with globally renowned science-based individuals and institutions such as revered Space Physicist Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, the Space Weather Research and Development Agency (NASDRA), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University, USA as part of the Collaborators’ Dream Team.
In a similar vein, esteemed members of professional bodies including COREN and ICAN have added much value to the practical knowledge of not a few students of Nigeria’s first private University of Technology. Bringing seasoned professionals of diverse calling right to the lecture halls, to share their varied wealth of experience with the students, has gone a long way in boosting their qualifications to becoming employers of labour rather than job-seekers.
And to up the ante in the application of modern technology to several infrastructural challenges still bedevilling the nation, the Skills Development and Resource Centre (SDRC) was inaugurated by the forward-looking management of the university in 2015. The visioner is the Director of the Centre, Engineer Adeoye Ojo. Chaired by Africa’s numero uno Chemical Engineer, Prof. Sani some other members include Rear Admiral Emeraku Ijeoma(retd), Mrs. Sola Babatunde and Engineer Sikiru Lawal. The overall objective of the SDRC is to bring the classroom closer to the industry as reflected by one of the principles and recommendations of ILO-G20 Training Strategy, to produce ‘a workforce for a strong, sustainable and balanced economic growth’.
This is more so significant now because science as ‘verifiable and communicative knowledge and technology ‘ as a body of knowledge and devices by which man masters his environment’ should be combined as veritable tools towards industrialisation and sustaining economic growth. With Nigeria’s economy in a terrible tail spin, caught in the eye of the drastic decline in crude oil prices, with the naira exchanging for 350 to one dollar, embargo placed on the import of some essential items the only way to turn is to our home-grown scientists and technologists.
Interestingly, one of the much-neglected sectors that could provide the succour in these tough times is the maritime industry. Therefore, the choice of Marine Engineer Ijioma of Indo Marine, Nigeria Ltd to deliver lectures on: ‘introduction to marine space operations’, ‘design and construction of ships and offshore structures in Nigeria’ is most auspicious. So is the one on ‘subsea engineering and opportunities available’ by Engineer Sikiru Lawal, the MD of Whitechapel Ltd who is a former Project Manager with Chevron. With the theme of the training focused on: ‘Awareness of opportunities for work(not jobs) especially in the Maritime Industry, participants will have value for the money spent for the training put at N50,000.
Another sector of the economy which is a money-spinner but not given much attention is the fashion industry. Only a few Nigerians are aware, for instance, that some smart South-East Asians come to our dear country, study our designs and capitalize on our lack of Information Technology know-how to mass produce our own concepts and sell back to us at exorbitant prices. But all that is about to change for good. Thanks to one woman of substance, Mrs. Sola Babatunde, the Founder/Creative Director of OSC College of Fashion who has the requisite knowledge and has partnered with SDRC in that direction. She is offering lectures on: ‘Getting started with Opitex Software’, ‘Basic Drawing and Editing Commands’, ‘Metric Pattern Cutting’ and ‘Computer-Aided Pattern Making and Grading’.
Similarly, SDRC should be commended for its partnership with Phoenix Automobile Workshop to provide practical solutions in the automobile industry. These include: ‘Automotive fault Diagnosis, Diagnostic Techniques’, ‘On board Diagnostics and Oscilloscope Diagnostics’. Others include: ‘Auto Help-Desk Skills,’ ‘Workshop Safety and Ethics’ in addition to ‘Good Service Delivery’. All these coming at a time Nigeria is producing home-made cars and the Ajaokuta Steel Company is being repositioned for optimal production gives meaning for boosting local technological growth.
Manpower development and human capacity building are sine qua non to every nation’s economic growth and development. Bridging the inexcusable gap between the academia and the industry is much-needed now than ever before. The critical issue of infrastructure decay as it affects highways and the rail system of transportation, water and sewer systems, airports, sea ports and harbour, communication and energy networks could best be identified and resolved by our well-heeled local scientists and engineers.
Though this bold and brilliant project has started with the students the fact that it is open to all qualified Nigerians makes it more impactful. For instance, any candidate who has passed the SSCE and is a technician is qualified for the weekend training in Automative Mecha-tronics. Similarly, any one with basic skills in sewing and has SSCE, NCE or HND is eligible for the Fashion Design practical lessons.
As the Vice Chancellor, Adeyemi rightly observed during the opening ceremony of the training course, attention to identified specific needs and growing a skilled workforce to mitigate the scourge of unemployment will place Nigeria on the path to economic rejuvenation. Little wonder that he poured well deserved encomiums on the mind behind the SDRC, Adeoye.
But what is required to sustain this unique, University-Industry Sector Collaboration is for the government to provide the enabling environment for the graduates to practice their skills. And for the private sector to provide the financial input and marketing opportunities for mass production and export to boost our deplorable GDP.
Baje is the Media Consultant to Bells University of Technology, Ota, Ogun State.
Ayo Oyoze Baje
