Some 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 Center of Excellence are financed by the African Development Bank and operationalized by Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB).
In his address, 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 that will play a role in enhancing innovation for the transformation of Africa.
“The bank is pleased to have contributed to this by supporting 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 the vice-chancellor of the University of Namibia said that making an event like this has brought hope and confidence that our students will maximise the knowledge and skills gained from the institution.
“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 appreciates the support of the African Development Bank through its finance, reiterating the impact the centre of excellence would have on Africa.
In his opening remarks, Deputy Director of the PAULESI, Dr Michael Oladunjoye, said the launch of the centre of excellence was a desire that became a reality.
He stated that it was actualised through an award by the African Development Bank to create an enabling environment for enterprise development by the institute.
He said that would also ensure research and innovation ideas can be actualised.
Also, Mr John Awodeyi, the Incubator Manager of the Center operationalized by CCHUB, said 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 Center of Excellence, said CcHUB visits tertiary institutions to see how research can move from shelves to the marketplace.
“We realised that it is a Pan African challenge that we have had over the years, whereby we have a lot of students doing research but nothing to show for it.
“We are lucky to see that PAULESI is one of the first set of institutions on the continent to have such a novel facility where students don’t just read to pass the exam but even beyond the exam, they can come together and develop prototypes that are products, like we are seeing,” Oyelade said
Some of the innovations showcased were footballs for the blind, cards with braille, and sanitary pads for women made from banana fibre.
