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The Vice Chancellor of the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS), Igbo-Eno, Enugu State Prof James Chukwuma Ogbonna has advocated for a stronger synergy between Nigerian universities and society in order to foster rapid development in the country
Ogbonna said this while delivering the 12th- 15th convocation lecture of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State titled; “Empowering Students for Global Citizenship through Town and Gown Synergy,” held at the university’s Convocation Arena on the 19th of April, 2024.
He said that there is an urgent need for Nigerian universities to start implementing the much-vaunted town-and-gown synergy in order to position their students for success in the global arena while emphasizing on the evolving nature of the relationship between universities and society, transcending traditional boundaries of the “town and gown” dichotomy.
He underscored the importance of universities in nurturing skilled manpower equipped to thrive in both domestic and international labour markets, thereby contributing to global development.
According to Prof. Ogbonna, “To be responsible global citizens, students must possess the knowledge and skills to work anywhere in the world.
“Nigerian universities should seize the opportunity to produce quality graduates capable of meeting global demands without neglecting local needs,” he said
Highlighting the role of government in fostering collaboration, Ogbonna stressed the importance of funding and redeveloping universities, facilitating relationships between academia and industries, and driving the research-to-product transition essential for national economic growth.
“The synergy between universities, government, and industry is paramount, this is so because it is through this collaboration that we can harness the potential of our students and researchers to address national challenges and drive socio-economic development.
“Universities should re-engineer their curricula towards prioritizing emerging technologies, and deploying modern teaching methods to enhance student preparedness for the global workforce, he said.
Speaking future, the professor of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology noted that the impacts of universities on society should be the cornerstone of our evaluation metrics.
“By aligning our goals with societal needs, we can ensure our relevance and contribution to national progress,” he pointed out.
Ogbonna called on stakeholders to embrace collaboration and innovation in preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st-century global landscape.
