NACETEM trains researchers to attain innovation driven economy

THE National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) says it is committed to the attainment of an innovation-driven economy to enhance national development through capacity building of it researchers.

Mr Isaac Oluyi, Public Relations Officer, NACETEM, who made the assertion in a statement, noted that the organisation had organised the retreat for all its researchers to widen their horizon.

According to him, a four-day retreat was recently held in Akure to enhance the capacity of the researchers to deploy science, technology and innovation in solving present-day issues.

Also, Director-General of NACETEM, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma said in a remark at the retreat that the difference between developed and developing countries was a knowledge-related gap, particularly for scientific and technological development.

He said if the current knowledge gap was allowed to widen, the discontent of some parts of the world would eventually put the creative growth of all societies to a halt.

Ukwuoma encouraged the participants at the retreat to maximise the opportunity to improve their performances and use the knowledge acquired to reposition the country among the comity of nations.

“It is important for us to understand that even in the world of discovery and intellectual innovation, there are those who create value and those who merely extract value.

“If we cannot create value let us at least try to extract value for development,’’ he said.

Also, Prof. Ganiyu Aderonmu, the Director, Centre of Excellence in Software Management, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, one of the resource persons emphasised the need for collaborative relationships in Science and technology.

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Aderonmu, also the President, Nigerian Computer Society said Nigerian researchers could work collaboratively with the international community to access grants for the transformation of the nation’s economy through quality research.

Other issues discussed ranged from managing research process: from idealization to dissemination, strategies for engaging policymakers in evidence-based policy development and diversification of Nigerian economy through research and development.

The retreat had in attendance notable researchers from other agencies across the country.

NACETEM as an agency of government provides critical knowledge support in the area of science, technology and innovation management through capacity building in technology management.

It offers short-term courses, Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Technology Management, policy research and consultancy.