Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, has expressed its resolve to produce the next generation of young scientists, innovators and Information Technology leaders for the nation, Africa and the global community.
The university also said it would join hands with Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo – led Anambra State government in its determination to digitise the socio-economic activities in the state as well as the education and administrative systems.
COOU expressed the confidence that Anambra State can be transformed to become the Silicon Valley of Africa.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Greg Nwakoby, made this known at the 5th International Conference and Exhibition for Science, Technology, Innovations and Entrepreneurship organised by the Faculty of Physical Sciences of the University.
The theme for the conference and exhibitions was “Breaking Barriers to Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Technology Development in Nigeria ”
It had speakers and panelists drawn from the government, academia and industry players.
Prof. Nwakoby who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, (Administration), Prof. Mathias Ananti, said that such commitment attested to the huge investments being made by the institution in its ICT infrastructures, physical and digital.
He said: “COOU places high premium on research and innovations, and that informed the decision to embark on the huge investments in areas of staff motivation, human capacity and infrastructural development. These have, obviously, catapulted the profile of COOU in regional and global university rankings.”
Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the Conference, Prof. Osita Chiaghanam, who doubled as the COOU’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), expressed joy at the large turnout of participants despite the economic downturn in the country.
According to him, the Young Scientists and Future Innovators exhibition was designed as an integral component of the conference to identify and catch early stage techies that could be supported by the university and partners to nurture infant ideas to mature commercial products in the technology market.
Anambra State Commissioner for Industry, Christian Udechukwu, who was the chairman of the conference plenary, lauded the Young Scientists and Future Innovators programme of COOU, saying such it holds the key to rapid industrialisation and ICT development of the state and beyond.
He said participants in the programme would be co-opted into the forthcoming Africa Industrialisation Day.
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