NACETEM Organizes Sensitisation Workshop On Survey Of Scientists And Engineers In Research Institutes

The National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), has organized a sensitisation workshop
on the survey of scientists and engineers in research institutes across Nigeria.

The workshop according to Prof. Ukwuoma Okechukwu, Director General, National Centre For Technology Management(NACETEM), is to intimate stakeholders with the on-going effort of the Agency to create a national database for the pool of scientists and Engineers in the research institutes for effective human resource management.

In his welcome address, Prof Okechukwu said the sensitisation workshop is a timely effort of the federal government towards the implementation of the Executive 5 order to achieve sustainable development.

“The workshop brings together participant from the Ministries of Science and Technology, Ministries of health, ministry of Agriculture and some professional from the Academy of Science, Academy of Engineering and Nigeria Society of Engineers among others.

“In recent times, a combination of Science & Technology and skilled labour force is regarded as a key factor for national competitiveness, economic development and environmental well-being.

“The rate at which technological innovations are being developed and applied disrupts catch up efforts of developing countries and widens the inequality gap.

“Specialized skilled labour force and professionals are a necessity if countries are to overcome challenges of the destructive creations emerging from new technologies.

“More so, it is important to mention that the recent Covid-19 pandemic shows that countries without the required technological capabilities are bound to suffer either from the life threatening side of the disease or the impacts of its economic devastations.

“Countries that are with high scientific and technological capabilities are in the race to launch and trade in drugs, test kits, personal protective covers, vaccines and other related products in response to Covid-19 pandemic.

“Hence, the national competitiveness and catch-up strategies of developing economies largely depend on efficient deployment of scientific know-how and commercialization of technology-based products and services.

“The application of technologies to broad-based issues can improve several aspects of socio-economic development and environmental wellbeing ranging from pest-resistant crops to low post harvest losses; from vaccine development and disease prevention to maternal care and child health; from reduction of environmental contaminants to purification of water; and from stable electricity to more efficient and affordable communication and mobility systems.

“It is therefore imperative that each nation develop the critical mass of human resources in science and technology to drive innovations that will help its attainment of sustainable development.

“These human resources, according to Canberra Manual, chiefly include core scientists in the field of natural sciences, medical sciences, agricultural sciences, biological sciences, and mathematics. However, the quantity and quality of these vital human resources are important indicators of a nation’s Scientific & Technological (S&T) efforts. Therefore, the need for Nigeria to have an internationally comparable data of her S&T work force.

“To this end, this workshop aims to sensitize participants drawn from critical Ministries such as Science and Technology, Health, Agriculture and seasoned professionals from Academics of Science and Engineering, Nigerian Society of Engineers, amongst others as well as their respective institutions about a survey to collect detailed information on scientists and engineers in the country.

“It will also elucidate the benefits of having an up-to-date and comprehensive database of the quantity, quality and distribution of scientists and engineers in Nigeria.

CityMirrorNews reports that NACETEM is an agency of Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) saddled with the mandate of carrying out policy research, capacity building and consultancy services in the areas of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) management.

The Agency provides knowledge support and serve as the fulcrum or software components of the Ministry and National Innovation System.