… Inaugurates N7bn Projects In Akwa Ibom Varsity
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), on Tuesday, explained that it is channelling resources saved from the cancellation of overseas training into impactful special interventions to enhance the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
As part of the Interventions, TETFUND commissioned projects worth N7 billion in Akwa Ibom State University.
The projects commissioned include the Faculty of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Agriculture’s Laboratory and Classroom/Administrative buildings.
Inaugurating the projects at both the Ikot Akpaden and Obio Akpa campuses of the university, the Chairman of TETFund’s Board of Trustees, Aminu Bello Masari revealed that the projects were part of the agency’s efforts to enhance the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria.
Masari said that TETFund has temporarily suspended foreign training programmes due to high foreign exchange rates and the rising cost of overseas training, as well as the unfortunate trend of some scholars absconding.
He noted that Akwa Ibom State University has benefited from TETFund’s interventions for 15 years, with a total allocation of N14.476 billion. He expressed confidence that the university would continue to position itself as a beacon of academic excellence and research with sustained judicious use of these funds.
Also speaking, Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof. Nse Essien, presented a breakdown of the projects commissioned to include; 189 new offices, 51 classrooms, 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, and 237 restrooms, among others.
Essien commended TETFund for the projects, saying they would enable more advanced research and laboratory work, prepare scientists and public health experts to tackle regional and worldwide issues, and promote innovation, hands-on learning, and the advancement of STEM education.
The immediate past Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, also commended TETFund for the projects and urged the management to take proper care of them. He encouraged employees and students to take responsibility for the facilities and treat them with care.
