.A Bill seeking the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Sciences Manchok in Kaduna State came under public hearings at the Senate on Tuesday.

The bill was sponsored by Sunday Marshal Katung, Senator Representing Kaduna-South Senatorial Zone.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, says the significance of establishing the Federal University of Applied Sciences in Manchok, Kaduna State, as a major contributor to the enhancement of education in the country.

Akpabio highlighted the pivotal role of tertiary institutions in Nigeria and assured that the national assembly is committed to prioritizing their establishment.

Representing the Senate president, Sen Gbenga Daniel, said the importance of establishing tertiary institutions was to propel the nation forward.

“The establishment of these institutions will greatly enhance education in the country and bridge the gap in education and manpower,” stated Akpabio.

He further assured that the Senate, through the Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFUND, will carefully consider the memorandum that will form the basis for the passage of the bills.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Dandutse Muntari Mohammed (Katsina South), requested all presentations to be sent to the committees and acknowledged that not everyone would be able to speak due to the recent loss of a member of the House of Representatives, Ekene Adams (Chikun Kajuru).

” Mohammed assured that all the bills would be treated fairly, ensuring the equitable treatment of every constituency”, he stated.

Senator Katung, who sponsored the bill, expressed satisfaction that the hearings on the proposed Federal University was a historic event in pursuit of knowledge for the people of his Zone.

He said, the establishment of the university, with its unique focus on a specific field and approach, holds immense promise for us, adding given the transformative role education plays in the development of every nation and society, this university is poised to channel the untapped potential of individuals into the most beneficial avenues of growth, offering a beacon of hope for our collective future.

” Our urgent need to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, is underscored by the stark reality that despite the significant population of my senatorial district, the opportunities for tertiary education are severely limited, noting many of our ambitious students are forced to seek tertiary education outside the state. This pressing issue further accentuates the necessity of a federal tertiary institution within my senatorial district,” Katung added.

He further explained that the Federal University has the objectives of providing Instruction, training, and research in applied sciences that will produce technicians and skilled personnel required for related industries within and outside the country.

” Act as agents and catalysts through post-graduate training, research, and innovation for the effective and economic utilization, exploitation, and conservation of our country’s natural, economic, and human resources. This will not only enhance our national development but also stimulate the local economy, creating job opportunities and fostering growth.

” Encourage the advancement of learning and to hold out to all persons without distinction of race, creed, sex, or political conviction, the opportunity of acquiring a higher education in applied sciences.
“The Federal University of Applied Sciences was designed to identify and address society’s technological challenges and needs. It aims to provide solutions within the context of national development, thereby playing a crucial role in shaping our future.

” Provide and promote sound basic scientific training as a foundation for the development of technology and applied sciences, taking into account Indigenous culture and the need to enhance national unity.

” Disseminate to the public and industries any result of the research or studies in developments about any branch of applied sciences.

” Collaborate with other similar institutions within and outside Nigeria for the realization of its mandate to establish appropriate relationships with other national and international institutions involved in training, research, and development of studies in the areas of applied sciences, among other objectives.

” If we consider all the above objectives and situate them in an environment lacking them, the result would be poverty, unemployment, poor health, shorter life expectancy, gender inequality, and a poor economy.

” Education, apart from being an integral part of any modern society, is also a fundamental human right for everyone. That’s why, with the proposed Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, we would be entrenching that right for everyone, from the privileged position that tertiary education has been in my zone.

Culled from: DPCLASSICNEWS