The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in partnership with South Korea-based MIDAS Information Technology has donated engineering Software worth $1.7 million to 12 Nigerian universities to promote engineering education.

Mustapha Shehu, NSE president, while speaking during the presentation of the software on Tuesday, said that the aim was to enhance professional competence in the engineering sector.

"We intend to strengthen the Nigerian Education Sector in promoting engineering education and learning as well as enhancing professional competence and development of Nigerian Engineers and students of Engineering," he said. "We have selected the 12 Nigerian universities across the six-geo political zones as centers for training, application and research on these MIDAS soft ware application in civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical and special projects.''

The benefitting universities included Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; University of Maiduguri; University of Ilorin; and University of Agriculture, Makurdi.

Others were University of Nigeria ,Nsukka; Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Bayero University ,Kano; Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt; University of Lagos and the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife.

Shehu urged the universities to provide an enabling environment that would promote the programme among engineering researchers, students and practising engineers in their respective zones.

He assured the universities that the NSE branches and its headquarters would be working with the universities on the programme to ensure sustainability.

"I therefore call on the management of these universities and the executives of the NSE various branches to assiduously work together in their respective zones, as to actualize the noble objective of this initiative of improving the skills and competencies of Nigerian engineers for the development of engineering and technology in the country,'' Shehu said.

The president also noted the importance of engineering and Technology to wealth creation and employment generation.

"The society looks forward to additional areas of collaboration with MIDAS IT as the society was well positioned to render professional services in its areas of expertise.''

Shehu commended the MIDAS team for its support in technology enhancement in Nigeria.

"I assure you that the society will continue with similar collaborative efforts for the overall development of the engineering profession and practice in Nigeria.''

Ravi Kiran, the Regional Manager, Middle East and Africa, MIDAS, said the aim of the programme was to enhance the capacity of structural designs of engineers in the country.

"We are here to Share this technology with all Nigerian engineers, we have vast knowledge in ICTS and we intend to share with other nations to promote developments in technology. We are here for the First time and we hope to establish a mutual relationship with the country.''

Kiran enjoined researchers to share their findings on these softwares with other institutions as well as the company for proper dissemination of information and improvement of the softwares.

Responding on behalf of the benefiting Universities, Dr Babagana Mohammed, a lecturer in the Department of Engineering from the University of Maiduguri, said they would ensure proper usage of the ICTS and ensure sustainability to enhance national development.

He commended the MIDAS IT team for the support.