Universities urged to partner industries for national development

UNIVERSITIES in Nigeria have been advised to collaborate with manufacturing companies to grow the nation’s economy.

The advice was given by the Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, while delivering the first Distinguished Lecture Series of the Federal University of Technology, FUTA, Akure, recently.

He spoke on ‘Global Perspectives on Collaborations & Partnerships between Universities and Industry’.

According to him, strong collaborative activities between the academia and industrial sector would in no small measure enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness, productivity, growth and reputation in the comity of nations.

ALSO READ: Minimum wage: NULGE directs workers in 774 LG to commence strike on Thursday

Ekanem noted that such a practice that encourages and supports knowledge exchange linkages between the academia and industries is part of the routes the developed countries of the world took to attain greatness economically.

He said there were ample of partnership opportunities that universities could also utilise with the international organisations that would lead to prosperity for the country.

In his remark earlier, the vice chancellor of FUTA, Professor Joseph Fuwape, stated that the essence of the distinguished lecture series was to build up the exchange of ideas as part of the current global positioning of the institution.

He said FUTA would continue to pursue its agenda of producing graduates that are self-reliant and globally relevant.

On his part, the chairman on the occasion and Executive Director, NetConstruct Nigeria, Mr. Abiola Popoola, encouraged the university and participants to make the best use of the knowledge gained during the lecture for themselves, institution and the country at large.