TETFund inaugurates International Conference Centre at BUK
TETFund inaugurates International Conference Centre at BUK
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) on Thursday inaugurated a multi-billion-naira International Conference Centre (ICC) at Bayero University, Kano (BUK), aim at enhancing academic exchange, research collaboration and revenue generation.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Mr Sonny Echono, said the project was in line with President Bola Ahmed’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition Nigerian universities as global centres of excellence.
He described the facility as a hub for scholars, professionals, policymakers and the community to share ideas and generate recommendations that would advance the society.
He added that the facility would enable the institutions to compete with any in the world, while also creating income-generating opportunities that would reduce dependence on government subventions.
According to him, the project reflects TETFund’s policy shift from constructing small buildings to executing iconic landmark projects that enhance the architectural identity of campuses.
He said that the edifice would not only serve academic purposes but also host diverse events, from scholarly conferences to community gatherings, thereby making the university more impactful.
Echono also disclosed that TETFund was constructing a multi-purpose research laboratory at BUK to facilitate high-level experiments locally, an eliminate the need to send samples abroad.
He noted that two years ago, TETFund initiated a new intervention line to address the issue of abandon and distress projects.
Echono assured the leadership of BUK, that TETFund would continue to sustain the partnership it had with the institution and advised them to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities, by ensuring functional condition.
The Vice-Chancellor of BUK, Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas, commended TETFund for funding the project, which had been abandoned for over 15 years.
He noted that the ICC would generate revenue for the university and provide a modern facility for local and international conferences.
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The project was conceived by a former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abubakar Adamu-Rasheed, and executed by UKY Nigeria Limited.
The Managing Director of UKY Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Usman Yahaya-Kansila, said the successful completion of the ICC demonstrated the capacity of indigenous Nigerian contractors to deliver major projects.
He thanked the management of BUK and TETFund for giving them the opportunity and believing in their capacity to do the project.
VMT NEWS reports that the ICC features 38 accommodation rooms, multiple meeting rooms, large and small halls, and facilities adaptable for academic, social and corporate events.
