Yabatech seeks China-style labs on campus

The Yaba College of Technology has called for the establishment of industry-based laboratories within the institution, similar to those in Chinese higher institutions, to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry requirements.

The Rector of the college, Dr Ibraheem Abdul, appealed during a courtesy visit by the Vice Chairman, China-Africa Business Council, Diana Chen, to the Council Chamber of the institution.

Abdul urged that the laboratories be equipped with the same facilities used in industry to enhance the training of students and ensure they graduate with relevant skills.

He said, “The laboratories, if replicated in the college with the same facilities in the industry, will enhance the training of students, as most of the laboratories put up by institutions do not meet the needs of the industry; hence, the essence of expanding our collaboration.”

He assured that the college was ready to provide space, laboratories and workshops to facilitate exchange training, while also accommodating students from outside the institution.

“We can run the laboratories as a business centre for income generation,” he added.

The call came as Yabatech and CIG reviewed their existing partnership, under which 25 students from the School of Engineering are undergoing an 18-month course at Hangzhou Vocational and Technical College, China.

The collaboration, involving Hangzhou VTC, Choice International Investment Company Limited and CIG Motors Company Limited, is being implemented under the “Silk Road College” framework, aimed at serving as an educational and learning centre for international exchanges.

According to the Rector, the initiative is part of nine projects proposed at the Forum of China-Africa Cooperation on capacity building and humanistic exchange.

“The aim is to help Africa cultivate urgently needed talents, upgrade schools, and strengthen vocational education links between China and Africa,” he said.

Abdul noted that the 25 students had distinguished themselves in China with excellent academic performances and extracurricular activities.

One student won a bronze medal at the China International College Students Innovation Competition, and the group is preparing for another world-class competition in collaboration with Chinese schools, HVTC, and Yabatech.

In addition to the scholarship provided by the Chief Diana Foundation and the school, five of the students won extra scholarships worth N2m, while another won N1m in academic competitions. The group leader was also given the ambassadorial status of CIG Motors for showing leadership qualities.

In her address, Chief Chen disclosed that her conglomerate would henceforth employ 200 fresh graduates of Yabatech every year as part of her plan for the 78-year-old institution.

Tracing the relationship to 2022, she said almost 96 students had already worked with CIG through internship programmes, with 30 per cent retained for full employment.

She also called for the immediate implementation of another batch of 30 sponsored exchange students once the current 25 return in November this year.

During the meeting, she gave automatic employment to two students from the School of Art, Design and Printing for their spontaneous creativity in drawing portraits of her and a colleague on the spot.