As part of activities  that marked her 14th Anniversary, the  University of Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Association of Science Students (NASS) held an Open Science Summit tagged TEO-RISE 2013, last Wednesday at the EbitimiBanigo Auditorium, University Park.

 

Speaking at the event, Provost, College of Applied and Natural Sciences, Professor Nnenna Frank-Peterside, who reminded the students that they were not in the University just to earn degrees, urged them to acquire functional skills that would enable them contribute to national development and self-improvement. 

Describing the Summit as timely in view of the transformation from a Faculty of Science into a College with three Faculties, nine Departments and a School of Science Laboratory Technology (SSLT), Professor Frank-Peterside, noted that in line with the theme of the Summit: "The Emergence of Resourceful, Innovative Science Elites", students are usually exposed to core science training, irrespective of their areas of specialization in the College.

In their goodwill messages, Dean, Student Affairs Department, Professor Henry Bell-Gam, Director, Exchange and Linkages Programme Unit, Professor John Otaigbe, Professors  AlphonsusAnusiem and BosaOkoli, commended the students for hosting a Summit to exchange ideas on the role of science and technology in nation-building. Explaining that the boundaries of perfection and 

success are unlimited for science students, Professor Otaigbe said, "Because you have the intellectual capacity to benefit yourselves, I would advise you to embrace entrepreneurship in line with the vision of the University".

President of the Association, Victor Olua, in his address, noted that in addition to hosting the Summit, the Association has successfully hosted a 

Freshers' Tournament and Orientation, launched Operation Keep Ofrima Clean, rehabilitated  dilapidated toilet facilities and purchased a public address system for use in MBA 1, amongst other projects.

The Summit which afforded the Association an opportunity to launch its Magazine, SCIENCIA, also featured the Professors Okoli and Anusiem Science and Business Plan Competitions, respectively.