By Anu Smith
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 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 which will play a role in enhancing innovation for the transformation of Africa.
“The bank is pleased to have contributed to this through its support to 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 also the Vice-Chancellor, University of Namibia, said making an event like this has brought not just hope but confidence that our students would 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 through the finance of the African Development Bank, 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 came into 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.
According to him, that would also ensure research and innovation ideas that can be actualised.
Also, the Incubation Manager of the Center operationalized by CCHUB, Mr John Awodeyi 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 goes into 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 Football for the blind, Cards with braille and Sanitary pads for women made from Banana Fibre among others.
