UNIPORT: Science Faculty Solicits Support For N643m Facilities … Outlines Research Break-throughs

Twenty-five years after existence, the Faculty of Science of the 35-year old University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) says it requires about N643 million to provide facilities for effective teaching.

Of the sum, N500 million would be used to build a science conference centre, while Amino Acid Analyzer (AAA) will gulp N23 million among other very essential equipment.

The Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Ethelbert Nduka stated this while interacting with journalists at Choba last Thursday and appealed to corporate bodies, individuals and ex-students of the university to assist the Faculty acquire these facilities.

Prof. Nduka who was flanked by other professors and senior lecturers of the Faculty during the interactive session with news hounds, highlighted some scientific leaps by the Faculty also solicited for partnership with the private sector to propel and sell the Faculty’s research outputs.

“In the current gown and town concept of modern university system which, apart from research, teaching and community service are also becoming entrepreneurial, we seek partnership with the private sector to drive and market our research output. They should partner with us to sponsor research, particularly in the oil and gas, health and general environmental related researches.

“The alumni should also not hesitate to assist in tackling the challenges facing the Faculty of Science. We also appeal to organisations doing business in the Niger Delta to endow professorial  chairs in all areas of science,” the Dean pleaded.

According to him, some of the remarkable research break-throughs of the Faculty include in the areas of anthropod pests, drugs for genetic diseases (sickle cell anaemia), atomic energy, generalised mathematical model for determining water quality index for beneficial uses as well as in biofuel and bioresources.

 Prof. Nduka who also outlined some on-going research endeavours in the respective departments  of the Faculty, however restated that lack of infrastructure was a major challenge of the Faculty, which he said had churned out over 25 professors and presently has student enrolment of 7,000, with over 40 professors and  about 250 other lecturers.

Meanwhile, activities marking the silver jubilee celebration of the Faculty next week include: public lecture, exhibition, novelty football match, launching of special edition of the Faculty journal, Scientia Africana and award night.

Hamilton Amadi