- Safiu Kehinde
The Federal Ministry of Education has sought partnership with the Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania, United States, for the advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) academic programmmes across Nigeria.
Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of Education, made this known in a statement issued on his X handle on Monday shortly after his arrival in the US alongside other Nigeria’s delegate ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The minister disclosed stopping by at the Harrisburg University where he discussed possible partnership with the management of the university in a bid to assist Nigerian students gain practical skills.
‘En route to UNGA 81, I visited Harrisburg University of Science and Technology in Pennsylvania with my team from the Federal Ministry of Education to explore partnerships that can help more Nigerian students gain practical skills for the jobs and opportunities of the future.
‘I saw students apply classroom learning through hands-on work in robotics, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, data science, biotechnology and health sciences.
‘This is the kind of practical, career-focused education we want to strengthen across Nigeria’s tertiary education system, so that our young people are not only earning degrees, but also gaining the skills to solve problems, secure good jobs and build businesses.
‘Our discussions focused on partnerships with Nigerian institutions that go beyond foreign qualifications.’ He said.
Alausa highlighted different ways in which the university can support Nigerian students.
He also disclosed that the ministry is currently exploring how the university’s STEM-focused, hands-on model can be replicated in Nigeria.
‘They can support stronger laboratories, faculty development, joint research, technology transfer, student exchanges and new opportunities for Nigerian students.
‘Through the National Universities Commission’s Transnational Education framework, we will explore how Harrisburg University’s STEM-focused, hands-on model can complement the work already underway in Nigeria and strengthen practical and technical learning across our tertiary institutions.’ He said.
Alausa expressed his gratitude to the President of Harrisburg University, Dr. Christopher Reber, while reaffirming the commitment of the Tinubu-led administration to giving young Nigerians the knowledge, practical skills and opportunities to apply, create, innovate and compete globally.
‘Thank you to Dr. Christopher M. Reber, President of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, and David Clickner, Chief Strategy Officer, for the warm welcome and productive engagement.
‘Under President Bola Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Education and the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), we are building an education system that gives young Nigerians the knowledge, practical skills and opportunities to apply, create, innovate and compete globally.’ He said.
