BY GODWIN OBI
Kanwan Katsina 111 and Traditional Ruler of Ketare District in Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State, Alhaji Usman Bello Kankara ‘mni’, has called on Research Institutes, Polytechnics and Colleges of Science and Technology in the country to review and upgrade their curricula with the aim of meeting up with 21st Century advancements in science and technology.
The number one citizen of Ketare District made the call recently while speaking at a Conference organized by the Colleges of Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Engineering and Science and Technology.
The conference, hosted by the Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic in Katsina has the theme, ‘National Development Challenges: The Role of Science and Technology.
Speaking at the auspicious event, Alhaji Bello noted that the difference between advanced economies and third world countries lies in a nation’s ability to harness scientific knowledge and innovation to bring about development.
He cited Nigeria’s unique potential as the seventh most populous country in the world and one of the most blessed in terms of natural resources but lamented the inability to harness these human and natural resources for sustainable development over the years.
While commending the Katsina government’s approach towards transforming science and technology education, Alhaji Usman Bello recommended a review of the national policy on science and technology.
Alhaji Bello, who is also a retired Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service, further advocated for increased funding to polytechnics and research institutes, as well as the abolishment of the University/degree/HND dichotomy among other measures to encourage development, scientific research and innovation.
In a remark, the Special Adviser on higher education to Governor Masari, Dr. Bishir Usman Ruwangodiya dwelt on the need for policymakers in the education sector to study current trends in scientific research and advancements in technology and tailor curricular and policy formulation at all levels accordingly.
In a speech, the Chairman Governing Council of Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar Lugga urged the federal and state governments to align the curriculum of research institutes and colleges of agriculture, engineering, science and technology to be more practice-oriented to produce graduates that would become job creators rather than job seekers.
Other speakers at the conference harped on the need for Nigeria to transform its educational system towards building and sustaining a knowledge-based economy in line with global trends.
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