Investing in young minds, future investment of Nigeria, Africa — ATBU Don

It has been firmly stressed that investing in young minds is an investment in the future of Nigeria and the entire African continent, just as the crucial role of strong partnerships between academia and industry has been well recognised.

The assertion was made by the RAEng-HEPSSA Spoke Institution Lead, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, Prof Robinson I. Ejilah, in a welcome address during the opening of a one-day workshop titled: “Igniting Young Minds” held on Saturday at the 1000 Seater Lecture Theater.

The workshop was organised on behalf of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and the Higher Education Partnership for Sub-Saharan Africa (HEPSSA) Project Office at the Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Technology (FEET), Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU).

The Don stressed that “The convening of this workshop, aptly titled ‘Igniting Young Minds: A Research Workshop for Aspiring Engineering Scholars in Nigerian Universities,’ marks a significant milestone in our collective endeavour to nurture the next generation of engineering leaders.”

According to him, “It is one of the activities under the HEPSSA project, titled ‘Enhancing Engineering Education in Sub-Saharan Africa Through a Research and Innovation Pipeline,’ led by our esteemed colleague, Prof Amos Omamo, of Meru University of Science and Technology, Kenya, which seeks to enhance the capacity of sub-Saharan African universities to develop engineers equipped for local and global challenges.”

He explained that “This initiative underscores the unwavering commitment of the RAEng and HEPSSA to fostering scientific excellence and driving innovation within the Nigerian higher education landscape.”

Robinson Ejilah added that “Since its inception in 1976, the RAEng has demonstrated a growing commitment to advancing sub-Saharan Africa’s higher education sector.”

He stressed that “Over the past decade, the Academy has intensified its efforts to enhance the capacity of African universities, cultivating a cohort of engineers equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to address both local and global challenges.”

“We extend our sincerest appreciation to the Academy for its invaluable contributions and the generous financial support that has made this event possible today,” he added.

He also explained, “This workshop transcends the traditional lecture format. It provides a unique platform for you to: deepen your understanding of research methodologies, encompassing areas such as research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.”

It is also to explore the integration of design thinking principles into engineering education and research endeavours and gain valuable insights into building a robust research portfolio, including strategies for securing research funding and exploring commercialisation opportunities as well as enhance your knowledge of research ethics, integrity, and intellectual property rights.

The Spoke Institution Lead added that it is to cultivate a collaborative research environment by fostering mentorship relationships and engaging in interdisciplinary collaborations and developing effective scientific writing and communication skills to effectively disseminate research findings.

Also, to enable the young minds to actively participate in the development of a context-specific policy proposal for mentoring the next generation of researchers within Nigerian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

He stated that “Beyond the dissemination of knowledge, this workshop aims to ignite your passion for research, sharpen your critical thinking skills, and foster a powerful network of peers and mentors. We have assembled a distinguished panel of speakers, comprising outstanding academics, emerging industry leaders, and accomplished researchers.”

“Their insightful presentations will not only enrich your understanding of key research concepts but also inspire you to pursue innovative and impactful research endeavours,” he added.

According to him, “This workshop also serves as a cornerstone of a broader vision: to empower the next generation of engineers, cultivate a vibrant research ecosystem within Nigerian universities, and bridge the gap between academia and industry. By fostering a culture of innovation, curiosity, and collaborative research, we aim to equip you with the necessary tools and confidence to excel in your academic and professional pursuits.”

He added that “This workshop provides a valuable opportunity to forge meaningful connections that can lead to impactful research collaborations and the development of innovative solutions to address pressing societal challenges. I encourage you to actively engage in the discussions, ask insightful questions, share your ideas, and embrace this opportunity to explore new avenues of research that pique your curiosity.”

He then thanked the management, staff, and students of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, for their tremendous support and encouragement throughout the course of implementing the project.

“I wish to extend our sincere gratitude to our esteemed collaborators, including Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), Kenya, the University of West of Scotland, BiT- Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, the University of Calabar, Lagos State University of Technology, Egbin Power Plc, and other valued industry partners, for their invaluable support in this endeavour,” he added.

Robinson Ejilah concluded by stating that “We also express our deepest appreciation to our esteemed facilitators, whose expertise and willingness to share their knowledge with us today made this workshop possible. Together, let us ignite young minds, fuel innovation, and collectively shape a brighter future for Nigeria and the world.”

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Prof Ibrahim, commended the organisation of the workshop, saying that it will go a long way in reawakening young students on how to go about becoming professionals in the field of science and technology.

The V.C., who was represented by Prof Sulaiman Dodo, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, ATBU, expressed readiness of the university to also support research that will lead to the growth and development of engineering.

He called on the participants to listen carefully to the presentations and ask relevant questions for clarification, which is the reason for the workshop in the first place.

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