The Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, FAS, OON, accompanied by the management team, had the honour of hosting a courtesy call from highly distinguished members of the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) on Wednesday, June 21, 2023.
The guests, who were incumbent and past executives of the Academy, consisted of engineers who have reached the pinnacle of their careers. They visited with the aim of strengthening collaboration between academia and industry, providing a platform for fruitful knowledge exchange and advancing the field of engineering in Nigeria.
Led by the President of the Academy, Professor Azikiwe P. Onwualu, FAEng, and presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ogunsola by the Academy’s Vice President and former (11th) UNILAG Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng, the NAE executives expressed their deep appreciation for the University’s hospitality over the years and commitment to excellence and innovation.
During the cordial meeting with the Vice-Chancellor, they shared exciting details about the Academy’s upcoming events including a technical dinner and annual lecture, scheduled for June 21 and 22, 2023, respectively.
“The highlight of NAE’s 2023 Annual Lecture will be the presentation of life achievement awards and the investiture of new fellows into the Academy, a testament to their unwavering dedication to recognizing outstanding contributions to the field of engineering. The lecture entitled, “Financing Engineering Infrastructure”, will be delivered by the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR at 11:00 a.m. at the J.F. Ade. Ajayi Auditorium, UNILAG. It is an occasion set to attract esteemed guests, including state governors and prominent captains of industry.”
The courtesy call emphasized the harmonious relationship between the Nigerian Academy of Engineering and University of Lagos. It underlined their shared vision of bridging academia and industry, collectively working towards achieving breakthroughs and addressing complex challenges faced by society. The mutual collaboration aims to nurture a dynamic environment that fosters innovation, promotes technological advancements, and contributes to the nation’s progress.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, expressed gratitude for the Academy’s visit, affirming the university’s commitment to further enhancing partnerships and collaboration within the engineering community. She averred that the interaction served as a stepping stone for future collaborations, opening doors to joint research initiatives, exchange programs, and industry-academia partnerships that will propel the field of engineering to new heights. Professor Ogunsola expressed her desire to have the systems-engineering-fashion of thinking, which included connecting dots to generate an efficient and effective workflow/system, a trait peculiar to the engineering community, to help in designing solutions for problems within the educational sector and indeed to improve the University and Nigeria as a whole.
The Vice-Chancellor envisions that this will transcend into other disciplines with the university and provide a wholesome functionality and advancement in academia.
Rounding up the meeting, members of NAE executives heartily congratulated Professor Ogunsola on her emergence as the first female Vice-Chancellor of a prestigious university such as the University of Lagos and wished her success in her tenure. The visit came to a close with the ceremonial signing of the visitors register by NAE President, Professor Onwualu and group photographs.
As the University of Lagos continues to prioritize academic excellence and interdisciplinary collaboration, the university eagerly looks forward to the upcoming events organized by the Nigerian Academy of Engineering. The lecture, in particular, promises to be a cornerstone of knowledge dissemination and an inspiring platform for students, faculty, and industry professionals alike.
Established in 1997, the Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE) was inspired by the need for a small, focused engineering body that would have the narrower objectives of the advancement and pursuit of excellence in Technology and Engineering, and the provision of a national platform for experts to pool their experience and insights and make input into public and private technical policy. For more information about NAE, kindly CLICK HERE.
To learn more about the University of Lagos (UNILAG), kindly CLICK HERE.
