By Hassan Ibrahim
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Education (FUE), Zaria, Prof. Yahaya Isa Bunkure, has tasked academics to leverage science, technology and innovation to address global and contemporary challenges while contributing to national development.
Bunkure stated this while welcoming participants to the 2nd International Hybrid Conference organised by the Faculty of Sciences and Science Education of the university, with the theme, “Sustainable and Inclusive STI Education and Research: Bridging Theory, Practice and Educational Excellence.”
He said strengthening research, policy and practice in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education was essential to improving educational outcomes and equipping students with the knowledge and skills required to respond to emerging challenges.
The vice-chancellor acknowledged the contributions of eminent scholars to the development of science education and the growth of the university, stressing the importance of mentorship, collaboration and professional commitment in advancing academic excellence.
He also commended the faculty for adopting a hybrid format for the conference, saying it would enhance the university’s visibility and enable scholars from across the world to participate in its academic activities.
“Conducting it just internally within the country is not going to help us as far as looking for visibility of the institution is concerned,” he said.
Bunkure said FUE Zaria, although newly established as a university, had a long history as one of Nigeria’s oldest and prominent colleges of education.
“Although a nascent one as a university, it has been one of the oldest institutions and one of the most famous colleges of education in Nigeria before becoming a university." He said.
The Vice Chancellor said improving the university’s visibility, academic standing and overall development remained part of his strategic agenda.
Also speaking, Prof. Faruk Rashid Haruna, Vice-Chancellor,.Federal University of Education, Kontagora, urged Nigerian universities to move beyond producing academic publications and ensure that research findings were translated into practical solutions to the country’s pressing challenges.
Haruna, who was chairman of the opening ceremony, said universities must strengthen collaboration with industries, research institutions, government agencies and development partners to bridge the gap between classroom theory and practical application.
He said research should directly address critical challenges such as climate change, food security, healthcare delivery, security of life and property, renewable energy, environmental sustainability and digital transformation.
“Research findings must equally move beyond academic publications to practical solutions capable of addressing societal challenges,” he said.
The FUE Kontagora vice-chancellor stressed that STEM education remained central to national development, technological innovation, industrial growth and economic competitiveness.
According to him, the rapid pace of scientific and technological transformation required universities to produce graduates who were innovative, adaptable and capable of solving real-life problems.
Earlier, in his remarks, Dr. Muawiya Haruna Usman, Dean of the faculty said the conference has attracted academics and researchers from Nigeria and other countries to deliberate on ways of strengthening STEM education, research, policy and practice for sustainable national and global development.
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