Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi branch of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), has opened a centre to advance technological skills in accordance with international standards.
The association named the Center after a former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Suleiman Bogoro, to train technologists of the University.
Chairman of the Union, Engr. Muhammad Bashir on Tuesday, said that the Centre was built to upscale the technological advancement and research work of the members for them to impart up-to-date knowledge on their students.
According to him, “This world is changing and we need to be ahead of our students. Technology is dynamic so also we must be trained and retrained. This centre will serve as a place for research work and training of our members. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is taking over many sectors and we feel this should be part of our contributions to train ourselves.
“We have to appreciate the former Secretary of TETFund, Professor Suleiman Bogoro for prioritising the training of technologists while in office, he made it in such a way that we felt the importance of technologists in the university system.”
According to him,”This is the reason we have decided to name the centre after him. He trained so many of our members. He did so well among those who left the school to head government agencies and parastatals.”
Muhammad Bashir added that “We had a consensus agreement that the Centre be named after Prof Bogoro because of his enormous contributions to the University, education system and the nation in general. We felt we shouldn’t forget this type of person when they leave office,”
He added that NAAT is in the process of partnering with an international library where technologists of the University can access research materials remotely to advance their work. “We have sent a letter to them but we are waiting for a positive response.”
The NAAT Chairman added that the Centre is a N5 million project started by his predecessor and continued by his administration, adding that “Every member is a contributor to this Centre.”
The Chairman stated that the Centre is constructed to have an internet cafe and pharmacy, adding that that the Centre would employ not fewer than 10 staff who will be on shift.
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