Industrialist seeks stronger public-private partnership in educational devt

 …Plans to build research centre at Rivers State University

Dumo Lulu-Briggs, managing director of Platform Petroleum, has pledged to construct an industry research centre at the Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu Orowurukwo, Port Harcourt.

The research centre when completed, will serve as a platform, where the business community, the academia and government will be meeting to interact and provide solutions on critical socio-economic issues of national development.

Dumo made the pledge during the 70th birthday celebration of Barineme Fakae, a professor and former vice chancellor of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

He also called for stronger collaboration between the academia, government and the organised private sector to advance education in the state and country at large.

Dumo, who also chaired the 70 years colloquium of Fakae, noted that such a collaboration would foster development and synergy leading to bigger opportunities in the state.

The decision to build an edifice to sustain the relationship is the beginning of achieving great innovations,” he stated.

The business mogul, commended Fakae for his contributions to the development of the state university, noting that the celebrant decided to mark his birthday with exchange of knowledge, to reflect his life journey and impacts on the society, rather than showcasing luxury.

The politician equally expressed appreciation to the VC of the University for accepting to host the event, stating that it reinforced the University’s position, as a centre for exchange of knowledge, ideas and thoughts that shape the society.

Issac Zeb-Obipi, a professor and vice chancellor of the institution, felicitated with Fakae on his birthday and contributions to the digitalisation of the University. He appealed to Dumo to assist in the building of a complex that would serve as an industry research centre in the institution.

According to the VC, the centre will encourage effective collaborations in researches between the industry and the University, adding that major industries and firms will be encouraged to open research offices at the complex for the benefit of the University and the society.

Obipi, who described the celebrant as the father of the digital vice chancellor of the institution, recalled the contributions of Fakae who he said laid the foundations for the digitalisation of the University.

Responding, Fakae expressed appreciations to all for choosing to share the moments of his birthday celebration with him, adding that he decided to mark the event with a colloquium themed: ‘Fulfilling Life’s Purpose Through Service’ to provoke critical thinking on life, responsibilities and impacts on society.