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NISLT Inducts 328 Technologists In UniPort By Otikor Samuel
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- Published: 12 September 2018
A total of 328 technologists trained in the School of Science Laboratory Technology (SSLT), were inducted as Associate Members of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) at the 7th Induction Ceremony which held at the School of Basic Studies Auditorium, University Park, on Monday, August 27, 2018.
Inducting the graduands, the Director-General and Registrar of the NISLT, Mr. Yemi Gbadegesin, charged them to project the image of the profession as they prepare to serve their country. Mr. Gbadegesin disclosed that the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Institute, Mr. Charles Obaseki and other Council Members used the opportunity of the induction to also assess the Science Laboratory Technology programme offered by the University to ensure its compliance to standards.
“The Institute is determined to advance the SLT profession as a way of reducing unemployment in Nigeria. I promise to build on the achievements of my predecessors as part of our drive to make the programme relevant in Nigerian universities,” Gbadegesin said.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Lale, congratulated the new inductees for their investiture as Associate Members of the Institute. The Vice-Chancellor whose address was read by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Regina Ogali, disclosed that the University was making frantic efforts to secure approval from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for the construction of a customised SLT building. He stated that on completion, the building would accommodate the Dean's office and offices for academic, administrative and technical staff, including advanced laboratories for postgraduate training.
“Let me especially welcome the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT), Mr. Yemi Gbadagesin and other Council Members for readily accepting to combine this important induction ceremony and the Professional Resource/Advisory Visitation and Accreditation of our Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree programme in a single visit,” the Vice-Chancellor said in his address. He further expressed gratitude to the Institute for its commitment to the entrenchment of the Science Laboratory Technology programme in the University.
Delivering the induction lecture entitled, Science and Technology: A Panacea for National Development, Professor Enuvie Akpokodje of the Department of Geology, observed that science and technology have created different 'worlds' between industrialised and developing nations. Professor Akpokodje regretted that Nigeria with its abundant resources and over 66 research institutes spent only 0.2% of its gross domestic products on research, while developed countries spent considerable amounts of money to carry out research to drive their development.
“High investment in Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) has transformed many resource-poor countries such as Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan into international industrial leaders. Despite its huge population with over 190 million people and high earnings from crude oil export, Nigeria ranks low in terms of investment in SETI. Gross underfunding and poor policies and implementation are key factors responsible for the low contribution of science and technology to industrial growth and national development in Nigeria,” Professor Akpokodje concluded.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dean of the School, Professor Michael Horsfall Jnr., disclosed that enrolment into the SLT programme which commenced in the 2011/2012 session with 136 students now stood at 468 students in the current session.
“There is an increase in request for inter-faculty transfer to the SLT programme. All SLT options have been enlisted in the School of Basic Studies remedial programme in the 2017/2018 advert for admission. This inflow of students into the SLT programme is a recognition of the University administration's commitment to the improvement of quality training in the SLT programmes,” the Dean further disclosed.
Other major highlights of the 7th Induction Ceremony were presentation of prizes to the Best Graduating Student, Miss Mercy Nnaji and other students who excelled in various subjects. Miss Nnaji also received the Registrar Prize for Best Graduating Female Student.
At the Exit Meeting on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, Chairman of the NISLT Governing Council, Mr. Obaseki, praised the University for investing so much in equipping the laboratories for the programme. “We have been to other universities and I must say that we are impressed that the School is growing very fast. The Central Instruments Laboratory is far ahead of other laboratories in Nigerian universities. We, however, made a number of observations such as personnel to man the laboratories, enough specialised books for SLT and offices for staff in some options. Students of the Geology option also need more field trip experience and there is need for recruitment of more senior academics to assist the School in preparing for the commencement of postgraduate programme,” the Chairman of Council said. Other members of the NISLT team on the resource visitation were Professor Willie Siyanbola, Messrs Joel Ajayi, Johnson Olawe, Musa Ibrahim and Ido Imabong.
