PAULESI students showcase AfDB’s support innovations, using eco-friendly materials
Students from the Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences Institute (PAULESI), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), have showcased innovations using eco-friendly materials.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the innovations exhibited at the inauguration of the PAULESI Incubation Centre of Excellence were financed by the African Development Bank and operationalised by Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB).
In his remarks, the Social Development Officer, AfDB, Dr Gregory Osubor, said it was a great pleasure to celebrate the achievements of PAULESI students.
He said: “I wish to commend the efforts and commitments of the management of PAULESI throughout the process, which resulted in the establishment and operationalisation of this centre.
“What we are witnessing today dictates that the centre has contributed to revealing talents, which will play a role in enhancing innovation for the transformation of Africa.
“The bank is pleased to have contributed to this through its support to Pan African University.
“It is the commitment of AfDB to support the development of skills for productivity and innovation in Africa,” Osborn said.
Also, the President, Prof. Kenneth Matengu, PAU Council and also the Vice-Chancellor, University of Namibia, said that making an event like this has brought not just hope, but confidence that our students would maximise the knowledge and skills gained from the institution.
Matengu: “Innovation is not just about accessing what is good knowledge, but gaining a good understanding of what the problem is and what solutions to take.
“This is a landmark event for the Pan African University, PAULESI and Co-Creation hub,” he said.
Matengu appreciated the support through the finance of the African Development Bank, reiterating the impact the centre of excellence would have on Africa.
Also, the Deputy Director of the PAULESI, Dr Michael Oladunjoye, said that the launch of the Centre of Excellence was a desire that came into reality.
Oladunjoye said it was actualised through an award by the African Development Bank to create an enabling environment for enterprise development by the institute.
According to him, that would also ensure research and innovation ideas that can be actualised.
Commenting, Mr John Awodeyi, the Incubation Manager of the Centre operationalised by CCHUB, said that innovation was vital to turning this around and moving the continent forward.
In an interview, Mr Victor Oyelade, the Communication Manager of the PAULESI Incubation Centre of Excellence, said CcHUB went to the tertiary institutions to see how research could move from shelves to the market place.
“We realised that it is a pan African challenge that we have had over the years, whereby we have lots of students doing research, but nothing to show for it.
“We are lucky to see that PAULESI is one of the first set of the institutions on the continent to have such a novel facility where students, don’t just read to pass the examination.
“But, even beyond the examination, they can come together and develop prototypes that are products like we are seeing,” Oyelade said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the innovations showcased were Football for the Blind, Cards with Braille and Sanitary pads for women made from Banana Fibre, among others.
