Tochukwu Clinton Chukwueke, the founder of Clintonel Innovation Centre (CIC), has called for an increase in universities and industry collaboration to help students develop the specialized skills and knowledge they need to compete for high-demand engineering jobs.
CIC is Nigeria’s first Makerspace (Hardware hub) based in Aba, Abia State that is developing capacity technology development and manufacturing.
With a science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skill shortage in various parts of the world, Chukwueke noted that the need for more engineering graduates was on the rise to fill these gaps.
Given this growing skills gap, he stressed that aspiring engineers must be able to harness their well-rounded and sophisticated skill sets – something which prospective employers will always be on the lookout for.
He emphasised providing engineering solutions and decision-making references, promoting information exchange within the engineering community, and adding cooperation was needed more than ever to address growing global challenges.
Chukwueke said his goal is to get more Nigerian students to explore job opportunities in civil, computer, electrical, mechanical, software and space engineering.
For this reason, he wants postsecondary infrastructure improved as s part of the government’s plan to grow the economy and create jobs.
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He also canvassed investment in talent and skills, including helping more people get and create the jobs of the future by expanding access to high-quality polytechnic and university education.
To this end, CIC has inaugurated Engineering Research Grant, as part of Engineering for Industry (E4I) project. It is a project designed by CIC to bridge the engineering skills gap in Nigeria, facilitate Industry-Academia collaborations and drive industrialisation.
Chukwueke said the industry-focused research grant is meant to support engineering lecturers in tertiary institutions – universities, and polytechnics among others to develop solutions for Nigerian industries.
The grant amount, according to him, is N1 Million. In addition to the grant, he said successful applicants will have access to industry experts and ultra-modern facilities at the CLINTONEL Advanced Engineering Centre (AEC) Aba for developing their solutions. Candidates are to apply at https://bit.ly/engineeringresearchgrant while the deadline is June 14.
He said CIC is determined to drive a comprehensive strategy to re-engineer functional education and apprenticeship systems, adding that efforts were on to bring together students, educators and employers to promote skilled trades that are in high demand.
According to him, the centre provides opportunities for students to gain global exposure and equip them with industry-relevant skills.
So far, he said CIC has been able to produce talents who are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skill sets to deliver positive impact and value within the innovation ecosystem.
