Industrial revolution: Science, Engineers, Professionals, call for synergy to ensure success.
IDRIS AHMED, Lokoja
Determined to ensure advancement in industrial innovations, a cross section of intellectuals and professionals drawn from Science, Engineering and allied disciplines have advocated for effective synergy between research and the product based industries.
They made the call at the opening ceremony of the 2nd National Conference organised by the School of Engineering, Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja held at Itakpe campus on Tuesday 3rd October, 2023.
While stressing on the theme of the Conference which is “Emerging Trends In Science and Technology for Advancement of Indigenous Innovations”, various speakers called on all stakeholders to show commitment to a blend of research and industrial efforts geared towards achieving higher and quality indigenous contents.
In his Keynote address at the conference, Guest Speaker, Engr. Dr. Hussein Suleiman Usman, an Assistant Director from Centre of Satellite Technology Development (CSTD), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), stressed the need for researchers to drive innovations that have the potential of revolutionising the various industries in the country.
Dr. Hussein added that technological advancement is currently focusing on areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet Ethics, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Renewable Energy, Nanotechnology, Blockchain, amongst others.
He expressed optimism that the innovations will help to boost the economy and create new opportunities for young people in Nigeria.
The Lead Paper presenter. Egnr. Dr. Okpanachi George Echiye who is Assistant Director, Centre for Satellite Technology Developlment (CSTD), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Abuja, noted that ‘”Additive Manufacturing and Advancement in Prototypes Development”, and explained that the exploitation of additive opportunities would lead to changes in the distribution of manufacturing and the reconfiguration of value chains.
He however, said the significant changes do not appear imminent as its changes is contingent on organisation’s first redesigning components of products to have few subcomponents and with simplification that would subsequently lead to simplified supply chains, given its additive nature.
The second paper presenter Engr. Adinoyi Haruna, Group General Manager and Head of Human Resources, Dangote Group Nigeria plant, Cooperate Head office, in his paper titled “Technical Education: A Panacea for Industrial Growth and Development”, asserted that digital age is characterised by rapid transformations and disruptions while suggesting a structured approach to navigate through technical education through productive Innovations to Industrial Growth and Development.
Engr. Haruna sued for collaborative efforts in curricular content development by restructuring the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), both in content and in delivery, to give it more prominence, while charging academia to work towards solving industry problems.
In his address, the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic and Chief host of the Conference, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, described this year’s theme as very relevant in today’s world, ascribing its significance to the rapid pace of change in technology and the global economy.
He charged participants to ensure that their resolutions and latest findings make the forefront of emerging innovations that are relevant to the needs of the society and as an insights to guide and complement the Management’s efforts.
Dr. Usman encouraged participants to think beyond their own communities and borders by striving towards global impact, just as he admonished them not to limit themselves to their immediate environments.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the occasion Egnr. Kashim Abdul Ali represented by Engr. Abdul Audu, Chief Lecturer, Kaduna Polytechnic; Engr. Joan Oguche, State Coordinator, HYPPADEC and Engr. Adamu Ayni Abdullahi, Director of Works and Services of the Polytechnic,
