A university don, Professor Jacob Olayiwola Aweda, has recommended a university-industry relationship that will support research.
Delivering the 217th Inaugural Lecture of the University of Ilorin, on Thursday, titled “Engineering Technology and Technology of Manipulation of Process Parameters”, Professor Aweda, a lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology of the institution, said, “greater synergy should exist between institutes, universities and industries in order to achieve technological and national growth.”
He further suggested that universities and industries should coexist and not operate individually, adding that “increase in university-industry relationship will enhance students academic knowledge to meet the global trend in training of young ones to meet the next millennium needs and helps grow the economy.”
Professor Aweda called for the restoration and revival of technical education with emphasis placed on entrepreneurship skills at the tertiary level of education, which should start at the lower level.
He blamed poor implementation for the Federal Government’s 6-3-3-4 policy on education, globally acknowledged as the right way to economic growth and job creation.
Professor Aweda lamented that several things including kits that were procured were either allowed to rot away in the rain, or uninstalled at either the premises of schools concerned or ministries of education in the states.
“Suddenly, government came out with another system of education of 9-3-4 which in itself is difficult to implement,” he added.
He said: “National policy on education should therefore reconsider jettisoning the 6-3-3-4 system of education and find it adequate in order to grow the economy.”
Professor Aweda stressed that technical education should start from the secondary school level if the nation’s growth will be improved
Nigeria should revert to 6-3-3-4 system of education – UNILORIN don
