TETFund CoE chooses Yabatech as one of the approved institutions.
The Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Lagos, has pledged that it will, in collaboration with all stakeholders, ensure the realization of the mandate of TETFund Centre of Excellence in Skills (CoE), Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development.
The Director of TETFund CoE, Mr. Sheriffdeen Ayodele-Oja, gave this assurance during the inauguration of the TETFundCentre at YABATECH.
Mr. Ayodele-Oja, In his words said, “YABATECH has the decree to bridge the gap between the academia and the industry, with the aim of creating a sustainable innovation hub that can commercialise researched products. And in order to attain the goals behind the setting up of the Centre, Mr. Ayodele-Oja said the management of the Centre would embark on a “critical robust and effective engagement of all stakeholders in the core mandate areas of the TETFund Centre.”
He further explained that a framework for the realization of the Centre’s vision would be put in place to provide a “formation that would allow the management of the Centre to transparently and consistently consider stakeholders’ needs and interests ranging from interactions with the centre, the beneficiaries, trainings, relations with funding bodies and policy groups.”
He explained that, the core areas of engagement with stakeholders, will include,
Skills acquisition; This involves engaging stakeholders with proven skills willing to train beneficiaries to develop their competence)
Internship; This is where the centre works with select organization’s to provide internship opportunities to the trainees and beneficiaries.
Grants/scholarships; This is where the centre partners with individuals and organizations willing to grant indigent students scholarships and training grants to acquire skills at the centre.
The inaugural training at the YABATECH TETFund skills centre, which is one of six such centres across the country, commenced on Friday, February 18, with the title “Tony Elumelu Foundation 2022 $5,000 Grant Writing Masterclass.”
The session was held with the aim of teaching trainees how to write a winning proposal for TETFund 2022 application as well as expose them to ways of finding other grants to fund their dream businesses and projects.
During the event the YABATECH Rector, Obafemi Omokungbe, who was represented by the Deputy Rector, Dr. Titilayo Ukabam, expressed gratitude to TETFund CoE for choosing Yabatech as one of the approved institutions.
The Rector further gave an assurance that YABATECH would provide the enabling environment that will ensure the centre achieves its set goals. Mr. Omokungbe also said, “the initiated collaborative approach will not only address identified challenges but will also bring about a much desired national development. The Commonwealth recognise the activities of TETFund and they are working in collaboration with TETFund to ensure that there is sustainable development of all activities and encouragement of research and development in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.”
One of the panelists, Oduwa Agboneni, an accomplished female engineer, called for prompt commercialisation of approved projects from the CoE and also said managers of the CoE MUST have a master strategic plan for the Centre, a strong partnership with organisations, carry out a needs-based assessment for companies to identify their requirements from those they intend to employ, provide global exposure for the trainees, and partnerships.
Other Dignitaries in attendance from academia and industry were, Prof. Robinson Ejilah, Dr. Felicia Agubata, Dr. Funmilayo Doherty, and Ademola Olorunfemi, among others.
