FUTO hosts Seminar on LURIN

The Federal University of Technology (FUTO) on the 20th of October, 2011 played host to the AIAE delegation to stage the research seminar on the Linking University Research and Industry (LURIN). The seminar was held at the Council Chamber of the University.

LURIN, a novel initiative of AIAE, is a project geared towards development and implementation of a programme for fostering and establishment of sustainable institutional arrangements for linking university research and private enterprise (agriculture, industry, business and others).

Earlier the delegation of AIAE had paid a courtesy visit to the principal officers of  the University. The delegation was led by the Executive Director, Professor Eric Eboh, Leader of the Research Team, Dr. Jones Lemchi, Contact Officer in FUTO, Dr. Chris Eze, members of the Research Team, Dr. (Mrs) Ify Achike, Mr Celestine Nzeh,AIAE Communications Manager, Mr. Sola Oluwadare,  and the Communications Officer, Miss Gloria Eboh.

AIAE delegation was received by Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Bernia N. Onwuagba, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Professor Chigozie C. Asiabaka. Other principal officers who welcome the AIAE  delegation included; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Professor (Mrs) Rose N. Nwabueze, the registrar Mr. Oje Ishe-nor, the Universty Bursar, Mr. R.U. Akujobi, the Librarian, Mr. J.E. Nwogu, the  LURIN Contact Officer in FUTO, and the Senior Assistant Registrar T.C. Don-Oguzie.

Delivering the Vice Chancellor’s message, Professor Onwuagba commended the Institute for the unprecedented project, saying it was in line with the vision of the Vice Chancellor. The DVC said there should be collaboration between industries and universities especially because   universities would not grow by continue to rely on the supervisory agencies. He noted that research outputs are supposed to be commercialised to industries, adding that LURIN is a project in the right direction to realise this. Professor Onwuagba commended the Institute for the project which, according to him, “will definitely meet the aspirations of the universities in Nigeria.”

Responding, Professor Eric Eboh appreciated the FUTO Vice Chancellor for accepting to be part of the project. He said AIAE is into the project because of its belief that, “Universities and research institutes all over the world are changing the ways they transmit knowledge for development. It is now time to move from knowledge pipeline or linear flow models to innovation web”. He stressed that Nigerian universities are currently under producing scientific and research products and innovations to industry and private enterprise.

The seminar was well attended by many departmental heads, heads of schools, other principal officers of the university, and representatives of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) in Owerri and environs who wholeheartedly embraced the project and made several contributions on the way forward after Professor Eric Eboh has made his presentation.