Strike: Fountain University VC, Prof Amidu Bemoans Lingering FG/ASUU Face-Of

Vice-Chancellor, Fountain University, Osogbo, Osun State, Professor Amidu Sanni bemoaned the current crisis which continues to cripple learning activities in universities nationwide.

Professor Amidu while speaking at the opening ceremony of the the College of Natural and Applied Sciences Conference held at the Fountain University Osogbo.

He said that the the system does not have to be destroyed before it is rebuilt as the current actions or inactions of the unions and government seem to suggest.

Speaking on the theme: “Innovative Tools in Science and Technology For Global Development”, the VC descried the effect of effects of the lingering ASUU strike on technological development in an increasingly competitive world.

He said: “The challenges facing the Nigerian academic and research world are discouraging enough against the background of unending strikes in the public Higher Education sector, largely fueled by insincere and faint hearted commitment of the government to a robust educational policy which could guarantee a sustainable scientific and technological development in an increasingly competitive world.

“Workers in the academic sector, especially the Academic staff unions and the non academic staff bodies have failed to assist the society to appreciate the fact that the old order of financing education more like a social service is no more tenable and realistic.

Speaking on the essence of the the conference, Professor Amidu challenged the participants on the need for them to come up with the useful recommendations that would inspires students, industries and industry, and indeed the larger society to appreciate the need for a paradigm shift in the philosophy of education.

He said: “Let me challenge this august gathering in the moth of June to come out with realistic recommendations, beyond mere results or proposals of research exercises; recommendations that will inspire students, instructors, state, parents, industry, and indeed the larger society to appreciate the need for a paradigm shift in our philosophy of education where personal skills and aptitudes can interact with scientific and technological pursuits as a necessary tool not only for global developmen

“More importantly for our immediate environment and needs without necessarily tying our fortunes to the vagaries of poor governance, misplaced sense of value where knowledge and its purveyors are rarely valued.

“In conclusion, I wish to convey the goodwill, of Fountain University to all participants and observers as I urge you all to make a statement with this gathering of creative minds whose contributions are expected to cover most, if not all, aspects of science and technology as they relate to human and material development.

“Let us make a statement with this enterprise that it is our turn to make a difference IT IS OUR TURN TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AWA LOKAN in making innovative and skill-driven science and technology an enduring tool for local, national, and global development.”

Petter Andras , Edinburgh Napier University who spoke on Machine Learning Potential and Limitations highlighted the overview of ML saying brain inspiration of machine learning and they and practice of machine learning.

He added: “Why modern machine learning may work as well as it does and what are the limitations, linking recent brain science and Modern machine learning.”