UniAbuja, ACCI partner on research, capacity building
University of Abuja has entered into partnership with Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) to enhance knowledge sharing as well as promote innovation and capacity building.
Head, Information and University Relations of the institution, Dr Habib Yakoob, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday.
Yakoob said that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the two bodies on the partnership on Friday at the main campus of the university.
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According to him, when implemented, the partnership will not only improve the quality of education but also add to the value the students will give to the society and the country in general after leaving school.
“The collaboration will be implemented through the University Business School, Internship and Linkages Services (ILS) and Centre for SIWES and Student Employment Scheme (CSSE).
“Others are Centre for Undergraduate Research (CUR), Centre for Sponsored Projects (CSP) and ACCI’s Business Entrepreneurship, Skills and Technology Centre, Dispute Resolution Centre, Abuja Trade Centre and Policy Advocacy Centre.
“The areas of collaboration include: research and development, technology transfer, commercialisation of research outputs, training programmes and, internship and industrial attachment placements.
“The collaboration is also aimed at creating linkages with relevant industries, mentorship programmes and, research fundings and policy advocacy,” he said.
Yakoob quoted the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, as saying, while signing the agreement, that the collaborations between universities and industries were known to have driven the economy of the most advanced nations of the world.
Na’Allah maintained that it was high time educational institutions and businesses in Nigeria began to work closely together to drive the country’s development.
He assured ACCI of the institution’s readiness to play its role in accordance with world best practices to ensure that the partnership had significant impacts on the Nigerian economy.
‘’I assure you that I will give this collaboration my total support.
“I will also ensure that our students benefit tremendously from the initiative and that our nation benefits tremendously from its implementation,” Na’Allah said.
The statement also quoted ACCI President, Dr Al-Mujitaba Abubakar, represented by the Vice-President, Mr Jude Igwe, as saying that the agreement was a very important aspect of the economy.
According to him, it is imperative for business and educational institutions to partner in providing skilled workforce for the economy.
“To prepare a skilled workforce, business and educational institutions must partner to preserve our nation’s competitiveness and economic strength, in response to a rapidly changing and increasing competitive world,” Igwe said.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that members of the university team present at the signing ceremony included: the Registrar, Malam Yahya Mohammed, Chairman of Research Council, Prof. Abubakar Yusuf, Legal Officer, Dr Hassan Makolo and directors of the five centres of the university.
UniAbuja, ACCI partner on research, capacity building
