VCs urge increased investments in education

By Umar Bayo Abdulwahab Ilorin–

Th e Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) has urged the federal governments to increase investments in the education sector to enhance access to quality education. Th e association advocated that the nation’s universities should be repositioned to enable them respond to the needs of the nation through strategic collaborations with industries to carry out research and develop prototypes that serve the needs of society.

Th e call was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its four- day conference held at the Kwara State University, Malete and signed by AVCNU’s Secretary- General, Prof M. O Faborode. It said that bursaries, students’ loans, and scholarships for indigent students should be institutionalised to increase access to quality education.

“Accountability, transparency, and internal quality assurance measures should be institutionalised to strongly confront corrupt tendencies in the Nigerian university system. “As access to quality education is crucial to attaining sustainable development, universities should mainstream the SDGs, off er insightful analyses and proff er solutions to challenges of climate change. Data acquired in the course of research should be shared to improve research geared towards development”, the VCs said.

Th ey further stated that: “Nigerian universities should key into the internationalisation agenda by leveraging on existing networks and also improving visibility to boost their profi les. .”Th e enabling environment for students of Nigerian universities to acquire the right entrepreneurial skills should be provided. Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) should be leveraged to improve hands-on experience in industrial and entrepreneurial training. “ Research and students’ projects should be innovative, purpose driven and tailored towards improving graduate employability, job creation as well as solving societal problems”.

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