By Emmanuel Elebeke

Stakeholders at one-day meeting of stakeholders in the Science and Engineering sector have said that efforts should be made to introduce e-learning in all higher institutions, so as to create a more interactive and participatory learning environment.

The meeting, being the second in the series, was organised by Science, Engineering and Technology Network, SciEtech, in collaboration with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN, and was aimed at building the next generation of engineers in Nigeria.

The stakeholders said it has become imperative for government to consider as a priority the issue of e-learning in Nigerian higher institutions to ensure that undergraduates are kept abreast of the present realities and compete favourably with their peers in other climes.

They also expressed the view that more emphasis should be placed on skills in the application of software in engineering, both for training and industry applications.

According to them, teamwork in engineering should be encouraged as this will facilitate participation of all team members, while building their trust and confidence.

They also added that the student-equipment ratio in the universities should be controlled through synergy of all admission Stakeholders: the Universities, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, the National Universities Commission, NUC and COREN.

This they said, will ensure a more effective training of students and accessibility of practical equipment for improved practical knowledge.

They also advanced the opinion that all stakeholders must collaborate to provide better ICT facilities in teaching and improved internet access in universities, especially for the purpose of research.

Meanwhile, the participants observed that a gap exists between the global practice in engineering training and what is in practice in Nigeria and therefore, stressed the need to internationalize Nigerian institutions.

They also observed that the level of research and development in Nigerian universities in relation to industry needs is presently low for the development desired by Nigeria.

Their argument was that there is very high degree of engineering capacity in Nigeria, but the enabling environment for development is lacking.

Availability of internet facilities in the universities and the efficiency level of internet provision according to them is below expectation and very inadequate.

In his remarks, the President of the Association of Telecommunication companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, said ATCON was willing to work with SCITECH/COREN to achieve the set goals.

He said all avenues for funding must be explored to support research and development, commercialize inventions, promote and support new findings.

He also expressed the view that consideration should be given to setting up of a Graduate Engineering School with the engineering industry experts’ support.

According to Ajayi, industries within engineering disciplines should be reached in collaborating with the aim of addressing young engineers’ development in their careers. While promising to deepen the linkage between ATCON and SCITECH, he emphasised the need for strategic partnership between industries in Nigeria and the academia especially in funding.

Earlier in her remarks, the Executive Director, SciEtech, Engr. Mrs. Valerie Agberagba said the objective of the meeting was to gather stakeholders in the science and technology sector to discuss and profer solutions to the challenges of building the next generation of engineers in Nigeria.