Prof. Simidele Odimayo of the University of Medical Sciences, Ondo (UNIMED) has tasked Polytechnics in Nigeria to live the with mantra of technological pursuit for the country’s advancement.
Odimayo made the call on Tuesday at the 3-day second international conference organised by the Faculty of Applied Sciences of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO).
The theme of the conference is: “Global Research for Scientific Impacts on Emerging Trends.”
He said that Polytechnics were identified with goals of technological know-how, and challenged them to come up with discoveries that would bring Nigeria at par with advanced countries.
Odimayo, who was the guest lecturer at the conference, said that polytecnics were established to achieve great innovation and creations that would meet urgent needs of the society.
He decried the myopic thought on the superiority of university education over the polytechnics.
According to him, if polytechnics had taken their place the toga of dichotomy between them and universities would have been unnecessary.
Odimayo, who is also the Special Adviser on Health to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said that nations of the world were currently celebrating the fruits of modern technology.
In his remarks, the Acting Rector of RUGIPO, Mr Olorunwa Simon Adegun, eulogised the Faculty of Applied Sciences for sustaining the tempo on academic culture.
Adegun appreciated the visitor to the institution, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for his giant efforts at repositioning the institution for greater heights.
In his speech, the Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Mr. S.V. Omosuli, explained that the 2nd international conference was to share knowledge, foster collaboration and advance the frontiers of scientific inquiry.
Omosuli added that the conference would reflect the pressing need for innovative solutions to global challenges.
He applauded the efforts of the organising committee and praised the presence of the special advisers, who in spite of their tight schedules found out time to grace the occasion.
Also, the Special Adviser on Gender Matters to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Mrs Olamide Falana, counseled the students to strive to become assets in life.
Falana, who was the chairperson of the occasion, tasked the students to make their lifestyles impactful to their environments.
It’s reported that student populace, teaching and non-teaching staff joyfully in large numbers participated in the conference.