By Emeka Oluka & Femi Dansu
In a bid to join forces to drive the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), the Directorate of Technologists and Technical Staff (DITTECS) of the University, on August 22, 2024, held a One-Day Seminar at the Green Chamber.
Themed, “Linking DITTECS Activities to the UN-SDGs,” the Inclusion and Sensitisation Seminar was meant to inform Technologists and Technical staff on the importance of their roles in achieving the SDGs.
In his Opening Remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Kola Adebayo, emphasised the critical role of Technologists and Technical staff in the University’s research endeavours.
The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the staff of DITTECS to take advantage of their inclusion in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) PhD sponsorship to further their education as an Academic, as reflected in the name of their union, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT).
He also encouraged the Technologists and Technical staff to take ownership of their contributions to research work, strive for excellence in their duty and make their laboratories a place of pride.
Earlier, the Director, DITTECS, Dr. ‘Wunmi Abimbola-Okuneye on her part, welcomed participants, highlighting the significance of the SDGs in addressing global challenges.
She emphasised the importance of technology development in achieving the SDGs, even as she encouraged staff to integrate SDGs into their work.
Dr. Abimbola-Okuneye stated that since the inception of the SDGs, it has achieved progress in several areas, such as poverty reduction, access to clean water and the reduction of child mortality, among others.
Additionally, she said that the 17-point SDGs adopted by the United Nations were interconnected, hence the slogan, “leave no one behind,” and it was aimed at regaining global peace and prosperity.
Other speakers, such as the Director, Directorate of Research, Innovations and Partnerships (DRIP), Prof. Mutiu Busari, stressed the need for collaboration, sustainability, and equity in achieving the SDGs.
The Keynote Speaker and FUNAAB SDG Resource Person, Prof. Adeniyi Olayanju, highlighted the role of universities in supporting the SDGs through research, stewardship, teaching, and outreach.
Prof. Olayanju who was a former Vice-Chancellor of Landmark University, Omu-Aran and Philomath University, Abuja, said that Sustainable Development was the responsibility of every member of society across the world.
He noted that the required results of the SDG could not be achieved without linkages across the globe, institutions, governments, companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the people.
The Seminar was attended by Technologists and Technical staff in the University, as well as other top officials of the University, including the Ag. Director, Directorate of University Farms (DUFARMS), Dr. Emmanuel Bankole.
