LAUTECH NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP (NANO+) ORGANIZES 2nd WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE ON NANOTECHNOLOGY AND RESTATES CALLS FOR PROPER FUNDING OF THE UNIVERSITY

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LAUTECH NANOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP (NANO+) ORGANIZES 2nd WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE ON NANOTECHNOLOGY AND RESTATES CALLS FOR PROPER FUNDING OF THE UNIVERSITY

The Nanotechnology Research Group (NANO+) (www.lautechnanotech.com) at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, which has set agenda for nanotechnology research in the country has slated 23-25 October, 2018 for her 2nd annual workshop/conference on nanotechnology tagged ‘LAUTECH NANO 2018’. The theme of the conference, ‘Nanotechnology for sustainable development: prospects for Africa’ is expected to draw scholars, policy makers and participants from within and outside Nigeria in agriculture, life sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences, engineering and medical fields to discuss research activities that can engender development in Africa through the multidisciplinary field of nanotechnology. The research group which is headed by Prof. A. Lateef, a Professor of Microbiology in the Department of Pure and Applied Biology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso comprised of dedicated scholars from the fields of Physics, Engineering, Biochemistry, Botany, Microbiology and Zoology. The group earlier successfully organized the maiden National Workshop on Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Nanoparticles on 21-24 August, 2017 (http://lautechnanotech.com/files/report.php), in which Africa was called upon to invest in nanotechnology to aid development (https://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/r-d/news/nanotech-africa-prioritised.html). The activities of the research group have led to enormous contribution to knowledge in the field of nanotechnology through publications in top-rated journals and training of manpower in bourgeoning field of nanotechnology. The group has been described as a focused and productive research cluster in Nigeria in the field of biomimetic nanotechnology by the first Professor of nanotechnology in Nigeria, Prof. Enock O. Dare of the Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, who delivered the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the maiden workshop held in August, 2017. Research in nanotechnology, which deals with manipulation and applications of materials at extremely small scale (1-100 nm), is an emerging multidisciplinary field, whose study is at lowest ebb in Nigeria. This technology has a lot of applications in agriculture, medicine, renewable energy, national security, engineering, consumer products, and sustainable environment amongst others, which Nigeria can benefit from its adoption. In its bid to diversify the nation’s economy, and also to build a knowledge-based economy, the Nigerian government through the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has recognized the importance of nanotechnology by setting up the National Steering Committee on Nanotechnology Policy in Nigeria, which was inaugurated by the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu on February 26, 2018 in Abuja. At the moment, NANO+ has used novel bacteria, plant and unconventional materials from Nigeria, with potent activities that can be used to combat the scourge of antimicrobial resistance, control of insect pests, as additives in paints, degradation of environmental pollutants, removal of sulphur from crude oil, and nanomaterials for the management of blood coagulation and cardiovascular disorders, as well as improving phytonutrients in plants. Several studies focusing on renewable energy, plant nutrition, preservation of materials, luminescence, toxicology, additives in paints, obesity among others are being investigated by members of the group. It has robust collaboration with scholars from University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. The group aimed at contributing to the growth of the University through Research and Training, while it is poised for collaborative research involving individuals, groups, institutions and industries. In furtherance of its cardinal objectives, the group invites research scientists, technocrats, captains of industries, policy makers and exhibitors to her 2nd workshop/conference on nanotechnology, scheduled for 23-25 October, 2018. The conference would be declared open by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.S. Gbadegesin on 24 October, 2018 at 10.00 am at The Hall, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso. Further details can be obtained online at: www.nanotech.lautech.edu.ng. It is gratifying that despite the challenges facing LAUTECH, some crop of lecturers are poised to redefine the research landscape in the University and in Nigeria at large. The group has provided leadership to mentor co-researchers at several Universities within the country attesting to its sterling leadership qualities, while the organization of the conference is an effort to mobilize and motivate researches in nanotechnology amongst Nigerian scholars. The group calls on technocrats, industrialists, funding agencies and government to support its quest for innovative research in nanotechnology for the benefit of the nation and humanity at large. It also adds its voice to the agitation for adequate and sustainable funding of the University system. More specifically, the group appeals to the owner states of Oyo and Osun that jointly owned LAUTECH, Ogbomoso to dedicate more funds to the University for the realization of the lofty ideas of the founding fathers of the University.
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