Pic: Rt. Hon. Benjamin kalu delivering the 37th Convocation Lecture of the University of Calabar
Universities are engines of progress, must go beyond theory – Kalu, Deputy Speaker HoR
Ani Bassey
Rt. Hon. Benjamin kalu, the deputy speaker of the House of Representatives has disclosed that universities in the country must go beyond theory as they are engines of progress.
He insisted that education will not be complete if the town does not feel the impact of the gown .
Hon. Kalu made this known in Calabar while delivering the 37th Convocation Lecture of the University of Calabar.
His lecture was themed: Our gowns in town and in Cyber space: Sustainable and human centered education, the mandate of our universities 2025 to 2075.
According to him, “Universities are established as engines of progress and our universities must go beyond theory.
” Our education is incomplete if the town does not feel the impact of our gown.
“Education is not about acquiring knowledge but acquiring it to shape the society.
“Many universities have not adapted to the latest digital technologies in learning and It is time for our curriculum to lead.
“As we approach 2075, our education must have meaningful societal impact”, he said.
He also called for a rethink to the approach to quota education and insisted that instead of geographic quotas we must prioritize gender parity and use quota as a tool for empowerment.
He also emphasized that universities ought to adapt to the latest digital technologies.
He said it’s a great honour to deliver the 37th Convocation Lecture of the University of Calabar saying he is a living proof that education has power.
He insisted that education should not be a privilege but a birthright.
Earlier, the chairman of the Convocation Lecture Professor Eka Braide said what is taught in a university has to be things that affect the society and research outcomes should influence policy.
Professor Braide who is the pioneer female chairman of the Nigerian Academy of Science said if we continue teaching and society does not feel the impact, nothing happens and we continue to stand on the same spot.
Also speaking, the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Florence Obi said the institution is proud to have produced men and women who have helped shape Nigeria and indeed the world.
She added that the institution has come of age and it’s graduates have held its banner high.
