Adewumi Ademiju, Ado-Ekiti
A University Lecturer,Professor Iyiola Olusola Oluwaleye has urged the Ekiti State University EKSU on meaningful collaboration with the Office of Research and Innovation Development, ORID to identify critical projects at the Laboratory of the Engineering Faculty that can be processed for societal development.
The Don who lamented there are a lot of projects lying fallow in the workshop and Laboratory of the Engineering Faculty advised that:”the University through the office of ORID, should visit the Faculty and identify some of these projects that can be processed further to impact our society ”
Professor Oluwaleye made the call on Wednesday while delivering the EKSU’s 97th inaugural lecture held at the University main campus in Ado-Ekiti.
The lecture was titled “Heat Energy: The Crux for Human Survival on Earth,”
In his lecture, he emphasized the importance of heat energy to human life, plant growth, food drying, transportation, and industrial activities as he explained that uncontrolled heat can cause harm and destruction.
The Don noted that though some scholars generate ideas through critical thinking, convert them into reality on a laboratory scale, evaluate the performance of the machines, publish these results, and earn promotions, yet, “we should go beyond this to the incubation stage for further development”
Noting that EKSU’s reward system for researchers is “below average,” Oluwaleye therefore solicited better incentives to encourage innovation and creative thinking as he stressed that the Engineering Faculty which can help the university generate more revenue if given more opportunities is underused.
He called on the University board to allow the faculty to handle some of the university’s ongoing projects such as producing chairs and furniture for lecture halls. Just as he equally suggested building a standard woodwork and fabrication workshop like the one in Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED) in Ogun State
The professor further advised the university to reduce dependence on electricity from BEDC and the State Independent Power Plant by installing renewable energy systems. He said Nigeria should also support local production of solar panels saying that relying on imported goods will not help national growth.
According to the expert, “Nigeria is blessed with natural and human resources, but continues to struggle because of greed, dishonesty, and corruption.
However, Professor Iyiola Olusola Oluwaleye, opined that without strong and fair punishment for corrupt acts, the country will not move forward.
The Vice chancellor of the University, Professor Joseph Babatola Ayodele again emphasized on the committnent of the University to academic development.
“As we continue to make the welfare of students our priority, we shall continue to support academic activities. At the last count, we have not less than 260 Proffesors, we have only delivered 97 inaugural lectures. If you are thinking of when, the time is now! “the VC said.