By Aluta News
July 7, 2023
The Vice Chancellor and students of Bingham University, Karu in Nasarawa State, on Friday commended the Forum For Innovation in African Universities (FIAU), for imparting entrepreneurship knowledge in universities.
FIAU is the foremost knowledge exchange platform for University-Industry Partnerships in Africa.
The forum attracts and engages leaders of universities, businesses, government agencies and the third sector to influence and shape higher education agenda in Africa.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that FIAU held its 3rd Annual Global Meeting in Bingham University on Friday.
Prof. Williams Qurix, Vice Chancellor, Bingham University, and some students who spoke with NAN on the group’s activities, described the efforts as “commendable”.
The Vice Chancellor specifically lauded the Forum for doing a good job over the years.
“The forum globally tries to project development which borders on partnership on the use of 21st century skills.
“It centres on entrepreneurship and tries generally to strengthen higher education in Africa.
“Though it was conceived in Europe, it has created a way of driving this agenda closer to the people.
“African Universities must rise up and see entrepreneurship as a vital key to development in the system,” Qurix said.
Dr Peter Aroge, Head of Department of Entrepreneurship Studies, while commending the Forum, said it came at the right time and had caused many to see different windows to entrepreneurship.
“Institutions need to stress more on teaching employable skills to their students so as to bring many innovations into Nigerian institutions.
“I discovered that the organisers have started giving equipment support to the teaching of entrepreneurship skills to universities; we will definitely take advantage of this programme,” he said.
Some students, who could not hide their excitement over the event, expressed their joy and optimism.
Miss Jessica Jonathan, an entrepreneurhip studies student, said she was feeling so happy.
“With the situation of the economy, students graduate without jobs, but with this knowledge, one can be more creative.
“The presentations by the different companies have opened my eyes to more innovations and entrepreneurship.”
She, however, suggested that more students should be given the opportunity to participate in the programme next time.
Another student, Nanna Miri-Dashe, said she feels grateful for the new knowledge and is happy to have participated.
“I enjoy learning from people that are ahead of me; that is the opportunity the programme provided for me and a lot has been imparted in me.
“The Forum has helped me to understand that we can relate with other people confidently, irrespective of country and colour. It taught us to be confident in ourselves.”
Similarly, Jonathan Thani, another student, described the Forum as one of its kind.
“I am privileged to attend this activity. It has exposed me to new things like technology world.
“The forum has given me and others a guide to follow. It is inspiring us to be future entrepreneurs.”
NAN reports that the 3rd Annual Global Meeting of FIAU had the theme: “Strengthening Africa’s Higher Education in a Post- COVID-19 World”.
The topics of focus included fostering sustainable university-industry partnership in sub-sahara Africa, African Universities and the global North, and pillars for win-win partnership.
Also discussed was Integrating Technology and Entrepreneurship in Universities
NAN