The goals of tertiary education as stipulated in the Nigeria Education Policy document are among other things, to contribute to national development through high level manpower training and to develop the intellectual capacity of individuals to understand and appreciate their local and external environment.
These were the position of the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund , Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono. He spoke recently at the 18th Convocation Lecture of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Enugu State. According to the TETFund boss, research in higher institutions is necessary to enhance the institutions’ image and reputation as well as contribute to the indigenous knowledge base.
Speaking on the nexus between education, research and human capital development, Echono noted that whether basic, applied or experimental, research and development are symbiotic and mutually reinforcing. “According to a report of the World Bank, higher education is instrumental in fostering growth, reducing poverty and boosting shared prosperity. The report maintains that higher education benefits not only the individual but the entire educational system. Tertiary education is considered the highest level of education and critical to human capacity or capital development”, he said.
Do you continue to echo the obvious that had always been a reminder? When in reality, formal education is not well funded. Terribly Sad.