By Shannon Gwamna
Worried by lack of innovation in the country’s higher institutions, African University of Science and Technology (AUST), based in Abuja has launched a business incubation centre.
The AUSTInspire Business Incubation Centre, is meant to step up innovation in the university.
The Acting President of the University, Prof Azikiwe Onwualu, said the centre would help staff and students of the institution to translate their researches into problem-solving products and services.
“We have decided to take a step about taking our researches to the next level, bringing it to reality.
“We have excelled in the aspect of research and publications but we have told ourselves the truth, the researches and publications must translate into something tangible.
“Very soon, you will not only see our publications but also our products from the researches.”
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of CcHUB – managers of the Centre, Bosun Tijani, said the mission of the incubation centre was to leverage on science and technology to bring about prosperity to the people.
“We are looking at innovations that solve real problems not just in Nigeria but also in Africa.”
While speaking on the need for the Centre, the Practice Lead of Higher Education Initiative, CcHUB, Jude Adejunwon, said Africa can not enter prosperity until her universities sit up.
“They should start looking at our problems and start designing ways to solve them. People think the university’s role is just to train students and release them into the labour market but that is not true.
“It is only through a hub like this that we can move research to help people on the ground,” he said.
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