By Taofeek Lawal, Abuja
Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has called on the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) to engage in research that will be of benefit to the FCT as a host community to the University.
The minister stated this when he received the chairman and members of the visitation panel to the University in his office.
The minister said centers of learning such as NOUN apart from carrying out their primary function of providing educational support to its students, should carry out research that will be beneficial and relevant to its immediate host communities.
He said, “Centres of learning and research like your university should in addition to providing the needed educational support to the wider world, also look at specific issues within the FCT and encourage your students and your faculty members to undertake appropriate research in areas that would be relevant to your immediate host community. For example, you might want do a study on the traffic situation and the requirement for public transportation in the FCT.”
The minister also urged the management of the university to invest more in the publicity of its activities and called for greater mutually beneficial collaboration between the University and the FCT Administration.
Commending the founding fathers of the university for their foresight in establishing the Institution, Bello said many personnel of the FCT Administration have seized the opportunity provided by the university to acquire good quality education while earning their livelihood.
The minister however pledged the cooperation of the FCT Administration to the visitation panel in the discharge of its assignment.
The chairman of the panel, Alhaji Isa Bello Sali said they were at the FCTA to appraise the FCT minister on its activities and seek advice as it sets out to discharge its duties.