Date: 2017-02-09

A Professor of Mechanical Engineering, John Adesiji Olorunmaiye, says underfunding of research in the tertiary institutions affected the advance of Science and technology in the country.

Professor Olorunmaiye, who is the Vice Chancellor of Crown Hill University, Eyenkorin, Ilorin said this while questions from our staff correspondent.

The Vice Chancellor noted that the research grants provided by TETFUND was grossly inadequate to meet the innovation demands of the country, stressing the need for government to provide enough research grants for researchers to access.

The Don emphasised that the country should develop its technology locally by producing what the people of the country consumes, instead of largely depending on foreign goods.

He called for better funding of the Nigerian Universities to meet the purpose of their establishment and adapt to new technologies.

Professor Olorunmaiye expressed dismay with the industrial sector for not turning academic researches into laboratory use and allowing them to be in the archives of the tertiary institutions. The Vice Chancellor however called on government to enhance and improve the infrastructural development of the country towards creating enabling environment for local industries to grow.

He also charged government to mandate the commercial banks to provide long term low interest loans for investors to promote the country's local businesses.

Professor Olorunmaiye said the Crown Hill University was established to meet higher educational demands of the people and be committed to teachings, research and community development.

The Vice Chancellor said the National University Commission approved fifteen academic programmes for the University to commence the 2016/2017 academic activities, while the University of Ilorin was chosen to mentor the University.