The Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier, has reiterated the decision to partner the University of Ibadan in areas of research for growth and development.
The Ambassador spoke at a brief reception held at the Vice-Chancellor’s lodge on Tuesday shortly before the inauguration of the fabrication laboratory donated to the university by the Embassy.
Pasquier, in an interview with journalist, said the relevance of UI as a leading university encouraged theInstitutento partnership, adding, “There are many reasons for this visit. It is the first university in Nigeria and we have had cooperation with the university for a long time with the Embassy of France; they (UI) are hosting the resource centre in social science and we have many other projects here too.
“Today, I came for special project, it is the commissioning of the Fablab which is a laboratory equipment that we gave the university to work on different issues, including agriculture. It is for training and for different other purposes including climate change research and climate change is a very serious issue to us. This is one project at the University of Ibadan and we have many more projects there.
“With this, our expectations on UI is very high because it is a very good university. I am sure they would use, very efficiently, the equipment that we have given. Globally, the cooperation between universities in different countries is very important to establish link with students and researchers. They have the habit of working together for years and years to come. To have relationship with the best university in Nigeria is very important for us, so we are very happy to be in University of Ibadan. For us, UI is one of the most important.”
In his address the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said, “The full fabrication laboratory donated by the Embassy of France in Nigeria to the University of Ibadan is placed under the responsibility of Faculty of Technology, UI, with Prof. Adebola Ekanola, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic overseeing the administration of the project for its implementation phase and the first two years of operation.
“Prior to the commissioning of this project, three staff of the Faculty of Technology, specifically electrical and electronic engineering, mechanical and civil engineering, were trained on the installation and operations of the Fablab by the Embassy of France in Nigeria at the Nile University, Abuja between September 21 and 26.”
The Unibadan Fablab, named the Hub for Innovation and Creativity, is designed to accommodate researchers from all areas of human endeavours to develop their ideas into prototypes.
Olayinka said, “Through the laboratory, UI would be collaborating with innovators other universities and Fablabs within and outside Nigeria. It promises to be a place where cutting edge innovations will be taking place very shortly. The French Embassy in Nigeria remains one of the most active partners of the University of Ibadan. Apart from the Institute Francias de Recherche in 1990, the partnership between UI and the French Embassy was renewed and invigorated in 2018.”
In company with the French Ambassador are the Consular General of France to Nigeria, Mrs Monmayrant Laurence; the Science and Higher Education Attache at the French Embassy, Prof. Mathieu Lila; Head of Corporation and Culture, Mr Rafael Pont, and the Lead Consultant on Fablab, Mr Antonin Devillers.
