As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility geared towards accelerating and enhancing academic research, innovation and development in the Nigerian University System, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) donated a specialized computer workstation to the Department of Geology/ Geophysics of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi state.
While presenting the equipment during a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Sunday Elom, the NAPE’s President, Mr. Johnbosco Uche, noted that the organization is committed to bridging the gap between the academia and industry.
He explained that the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) was established in 1975 with the aim of championing excellence, professionalism and national development in the oil and gas Industry with the mindset that oil and gas are the main revenue sources in the country, adding that NAPE is the largest professional association of petroleum geologists and related upstream disciplines in Nigeria and Africa.
Uche contended that the influence of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has extended beyond policy into the academia through its University Assistance Programme, in which the association has supported geosciences’ departments across Nigerian universities with equipment, software licenses, books, training, workshops and mentorship. This initiative, he noted has bridged the gap between academic training and industry needs, ensuring that new graduates are equipped with relevant skills in a dynamic energy market.
The NAPE President further emphasized that the courtesy visit underscores the importance of collaboration between the industry and the academia particularly in leveraging research and development to address today’s energy challenges, noting that there are so much untapped resources in the Anambra River Basin and equipping students with the right training for future exploration is vital.
He also reiterated the importance of having the right equipment for upscale the skills of the workforce, urging the University management to provide the right space and building for the workstation, to make it accessible to students while also advocating that lecturers should also be given the necessary assistance and support to be part of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE).
The Vice Chancellor, Professor Sunday Elom, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Romanus Ejiaga, in his remarks thanked the association for its thoughtfulness in selecting the institution as the beneficiary of the workstation, stating that it would enhance research among students while also strengthening scientific studies in the university, and urged the staff and students to make good use of the rare opportunity to get the right skill-set to be relevant in their fields.
