2015 NECO GCE (Nov/Dec) Registration Form is Out

27 varsities have link to research network —NUC

Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie

The National Universities Commission has said that no fewer than 27 public universities have connected to the West Africa and Central Africa Research and Education Network.

This came as it stated that nine more universities would connect to the initiative known as the Nigerian Research and Education Network in the first quarter of this year.

The NgREN was inaugurated about six months ago by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Julius Okojie, said this in Abuja during the inauguration of the NgREN’s Technical Working Group, on Monday.

The TWG, according to him, will help to improve research platforms as well as enhance the sharing of research among universities in the country.

Okojie, who noted that NgREN would impact on virtual teaching and learning, said the facility would help create platforms for Nigerian universities to be rated among the world’s universities.

The NUC, he said, was able to set up the network when it got financial intervention through the Step – B projects about five years ago, adding that no progress can be recorded without research.

Okojie, the NgREN Board Chairman said, “You will be amazed that we have a visiting professor who is teaching his courses to students of the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto via the platform. The video conferencing has been very effective. E-library and telephone system in the university are also working. We are just trying to increase the content.

“We have increased the bandwidth and capacity has improved. Twenty-seven public universities have joined. It is cheaper now.

“Yes, the initiative will also enhance the ratings of Nigerian universities just as it will increase the popularity of institutions. People want to see how popular an institution is and the more publications such an institution has, the more points it gains.

“You will be amazed that when you want to access the websites of many institutions either because of poor power supply or poor power bandwidth, you may not be able to reach them. But with this, the NgREN facilities are on 24 hours a week.

“It is still very expensive at this level and private universities may not be able to connect to it now. However, the private institutions are showing interest in the venture. We are saying that by the time we roll out the second phase, many universities would be able to afford it.”