*Challenges PUMS Varsity On Rigorous Research

By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt

Lack of digital skills among university graduates in Nigeria and public policy tragedy in the educational sector have been identified as the major reasons for the high rate of unemployment in the country.

To redirect this narrative, the federal government has been urged to urgently rescue the sector at all levels from crisis and align same with contemporary global practices and realities shaped by innovative technologies.

This position was contained in the 5th convocation lecture of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences, PUMS titled “resilience in medical innovation” by Dr. Nonyenim Solomon Enyidah, medical director of Psychiatric Hospital, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

Dr. Enyidah who reiterated the importance of Technology as a global reality that drives governance, social life, economic development and stability, said the crises facing the educational system could be addressed through transformation via emerging innovative technologies.

According to him, “Nigeria lags behind by low digital literacy and outdated curricula, explaining why over 85% of Nigerian graduates lack digital skills”, he said.

Similarly, “our tertiary institutions are in dilapidated conditions and unable to make the desired impact on the nation’s economic potential. Disconnect between educational output and labor market needs, further hampers Nigeria’s economic progress.

“Many students graduate with skills that are not in line with market demands or socio-economic and political need of the country. The lack of digital skills in the graduates leads to higher unemployment rate”, he stated.

Enyidah challenged PUMS University to be involved in rigorous translational researches which will be qualitatively relevant to industries and the present reality in Nigeria. Such researches, he said, “will foster collaboration on projects addressing local health issues like infectious diseases, with pharma and biotech companies, to serve local needs.

“When fully stabilized, PUMS is expected to lead in researches incorporating labs for creating prosthetics, implants and tissue models, to invest in genomics, bioinformatics labs for cutting-edge researches”.

Dr. Enyidah believes that challenges which involve policy makers, professionals and the entire system will be mitigating the integration of large language model in areas of; inaccurate information, fairness and bias, accountability, regulatory frameworks and trustworthiness.

The PAMO 5th Convocation lecturer called on healthcare professionals to learn to cope with some traumatic events and heart-breaking situations especially when things don’t go as expected.

“Your response to diverse disasters and health hazards as occurred during COVID-19 and Ebola epidemic in Africa makes it critical for you to develop resilience to cope with the stress of being a health professional”, he advised.

Highlight of the event was the inauguration of the PAMO Alumni association of the University by the pro-Chancellor and former governor of Rivers state, Dr. Peter Odili.