In a significant development, plans are being concluded to build an underwater institute at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to drive innovation in sub-sea exploration, marine renewable energy, and sustainable technologies.
This disclosure was made during a visit by a team of engineers led by the Chief Executive Officer of Marine Platforms Limited, Mr. Taofik Adegbite to the University on Friday, May 24, 2024. The team, accompanied by industry professionals and academics, including a former Dean of Engineering, UNILAG, Professor Funso Falade, was received by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Lucian O. Chukwu on the 10th floor of the Senate House.
Mr. Adegbite stated his company’s readiness to partner with the University to promote marine studies through the proposed institute. He noted that the institute will offer hands-on training and education programs for prospective students, researchers, professionals, and non-professionals, to enhance their knowledge and skills in marine science, research, and conservation.
Mr. Adegbite who is the Norwegian Consul-General in Nigeria revealed that his company has been in collaboration with University of Aberdeen, which is widely regarded as one of the best in Subsea Engineering programme in the United Kingdom. He revealed that the collaboration has led to the training of a substantial number of people over the world.
His words “We have had opportunity to train over 100 persons in the subsea business. Today, we are here to re-jig and re-start a project which we started to set up a sub-sea institute at the University of Lagos; where we will develop young ones to participate and gain skills in the offshore space by focusing on the fundamental skills and technical knowledge that are in demand by the subsea sector today”.
Mr. Adegbite stressed the need to demystify the over-dependence on certificates. He added that “practical-based teachings will be the order of the day with the industry partnership with the academia in place.”
According to him, “We have made arrangements for the donation of boats, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), subsea sensors, underwater cameras, deep-sea submersible which are apparatus that will enhance learning and vocational skill training that will lead to breakthroughs in fields like oceanography, marine engineering, and environmental science”.
In his response, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Chukwu, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, applauded the team for considering UNILAG as a destination point to enhance marine research and practice.
Prof. Chukwu highlighted the University’s efforts in marine studies, noting that the addition of another institute will further accentuate the University’s status as a global learning citadel. He expressed the University’s commitment to supporting innovative initiatives that promote academic excellence and research.
Thereafter, the team was led on a tour of the site allotted for the construction of the facility.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photograps: Isamiat Akanni
