The newly elected Chairman of Nigerian Society of Engineers (London UK branch), Dr. May Sule has stated that Nigerian Universities need enough engineering practicals to be able to compete globally and have effective deliverables.
May, who spoke exclusively with Tribune Online yesterday, stated that no practical experience can be garnered with substandard Laboratories.
The Chairman said the students would experience difficult in assessing, evaluating and carrying out analysis.
This was just as she identified lack of conducive environment, insufficient funds, and capacity skills as factors responsible for little or no maintenance culture in Nigeria.
“In our universities for instance, we dont have enough engineering practicals in many Nigerian universities.
“Our labs are substandard. You will find out that students can go through the whole five year education in Nigeria and out without practical experience.
“They are not able to assess, evaluate and carry out analysis in the lab like they should.
“When i did my degree many years ago, we had a lab that was functional in the university of lagos.
“The case now is that many of those universities due to lack of fund do not have those facilities
“Our maintenance culture is often times lacking and if it is there, there are hinderances in terms of being able to carry out regular and adequate maintenance that is required for our infrastructure whether it is road infrastructure, water and waste and so many others.
“Usually, the lack of maintenance is an issue and that stems from so many factors. It is very difficult to say it is from one particular reason
“First, lack of conducive environment. Second, the funds alloted for maintenance not sufficient to carry out the level of maintenance that is required. Thirdly, the capacity skills is sometimes missing.” She said.
Meanwhile, Sule expressed her drive to improve the financial state of the branch and also increase its membership from 68 to possibly 200.
The Chairman vowed to organise few visits for Nigerian Engineers to visit the United Kingdom through an Annual Convention and Educational.
“As the new chairman, I want to improve our financial drive as a branch.
“I want to increase our membership from 68 to 200.
“I want to organise few visits for Nigerian Engineers to come to the United Kingdom through an Annual Convention and Educational Tour, where people can come to the UK and be able to go roynd and visit different engineering sites and companies so that they will see how most of the practices is being carried out in the UK,” she said.
and then