Efforts to improve training facilities in the field of Engineering at the University of Uyo has received a big boost with the donation of laboratory equipment worth N130 million, made by Oriental Energy Resources and Afren plc.
The donation which included textbooks and scientific journals is a corporate social responsibility initiative of the two energy companies and the first phase of their collaboration with the university.
Speaking at the inauguration of the facilities, Egbert Imomoh, chairman of Afren plc hoped that the equipment would transform the Department of Chemical Engineering of the university.
“We intend to also make it a world-class institute comparable to the very best in the world, which would consequently turn out well educated graduates in Petroleum and Chemical Engineering,’’ Imomoh stated.
He said the company would invite other operators in the state to join in the partnership that would lead to the implementation of a five-year strategic development plan to accomplish specific objectives.
According to him, this would include raising over $18million within the period, the recruitment and retention of new teaching staff as well as acquisition of teaching and research lab equipment and software among others.
In her remarks, Comfort Ekpo, vice chancellor of the University commended the initiatives of the oil companies in assisting the university to develop its capacity as well as improve its infrastructure.
The commissioning of the equipment was preceded by a two-day training intervention programme for 30 participants drawn from the University on basic petroleum technology.
ANIEFIOK UDONQUAK Uyo
