UNN Strengthens Economic Transformation Through Science Park

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) says it is deepening economic transformation in West Africa through its newly established Lion Science Park (LSP).

Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, UNN Vice Chancellor, was quoted as making the remark in a statement on Wednesday by the Manager of the Lion Science Park, Ms Chinwe Okoli at the inaugural meeting of the Board of the Park in Nsukka, Enugu State.

According to Ozumba, the Science Park is designed as an innovation hub, an economic transformation initiative and a sustainable development project in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 17).

He said that the major mandate of the institute and other higher institutions and research resource centers was to provide the knowledge backbone for industry, commerce and society.

He said that the mandate had become more urgent, especially in view of the current global emphasis on the need for a progressive paradigm shift to innovation-driven and knowledge-based economy.

“The LSP is expected to encourage regional, national and international scientific Research and Development (R&D) initiatives by supporting alliance and interaction amongst academia, industry and government.

“It is expected to create strategic synergies with private, public and institutional research institutes/centers seeking to optimise their research activities by collaborating with researchers, research groups and research institutes in Nsukka, Enugu and Ituku-Ozalla campuses.

“It is in pursuit of the mandate that UNN established the first university-based Science Park in Nigeria (the Lion Science Park) with advisory support from Ideon Science and Lunda Vision, both in Sweden.

“Lion Science Park, the first university-based science park in Nigeria held its maiden board meeting on July 17 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka campus.

“The board membership is predicated on the triple helix concept and thus has representatives from the public sector, private sector and the academia.

“The park will provide graduates with direct and unhindered access to specialised innovative infrastructure of the highest standard, exposing them to an outstanding training opportunity for applied scientific innovation and entrepreneurial skills,“ he said.

Ozumba said a lot had happened in the innovation space in the university within a year. He said that the first fully-fledged university-based technology incubator, Roar Nigeria, was up and running, which was already incubating startups.

He said that the Lion Laptop Assembly Plant (Lion Technologies) was producing affordable and high spec laptops, adding that the Park already had tenant companies.

“Over 215 research groups in the university are ready to deliver impactful research solutions to companies.

“We are building a world class science park; we currently have a temporary building and planning to develop the 50 hectares of land for the permanent site of the Lion Science Park,” he added.

Prof. Kenneth Ofokansi, the Director, International Collaborations for the University said: “the first international workshop on Science Park and innovation was held in Feb. 20 to Feb. 23 at the UNN with the theme: “Science Park and Innovation Ecosystem for National Development.“

He said the workshop recorded an impressive international participation including the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

“The immediate result from the conference was the delegation of the 10 Directors-General of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to UNN in March on a fact-finding mission and to explore areas of possible collaboration.

“To ensure synergy and sustainability, the Lion Science Park Board membership comprises top representatives of the government’s ministry of science and technology, top industry players from the private sector and seasoned professors from the academia,“ he said.

Dr Emeka Okwuosa, a board member, who was the first Vice Chairman of the board, said that such development was needed for high quality research output providing home-grown solutions to the problems of industries and businesses in Nigeria.

“First, it was the West Africa’s first university-embedded technology hub and now it’s Africa’s first university-led science park at UNN.

“This landmark is laudable and shows that Lion Science Park at UNN is truly the home for innovation” he said.

Dr Sven-Thore Holm, the founder of Ideon Science Park, Sweden, a board member said being in the innovation business for 35 years in Sweden, the speed of what was happening now with Lion Science Park was impressive.

“It was a successful meeting with very high expectations for the Science, Technology and Innovation System in Nigeria. What I saw at Roar Nigeria Incubator only reminds me of what I saw in Shanghai recently,” he said.

Mr Anpe Fut, a board member representing the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, said Roar Nigeria Technology Incubator already had 12 startups working on great ideas across sectors.

He said that a lot more applications for incubation programme were being received daily. “It should be pointed out that Lion Science Park is already globally recognised as a member of the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation.

“Also with tenant companies such as Huawei Authorised Information and Network Academy (HAINA) and MiraiDenchi.

“HAINA trains certified candidates on Huawei Technologies and so far, a number of students and staff of the university are already certified through this programme,“ he said.