Ugochukwu Iwuchukwu
The Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology (IGST) in the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, in a bid to promote teaching and scientific research has launched her first owned Research equipment, a feat recorded after 39 years the Institute was created.
Presenting the equipment on behalf of the IGST Board to the Vice-Chancellor of the University, the Director of the Institute, Prof. Tamunoene Kingdom-Simeon Abam said that the research equipment which includes: Air quality equipment, Water Quality equipment, some GPS facilities, and complete MetOceans Station will enable the Institute to carry out accurate and cost-effective research.
Prof. Abam noted that the need to procure the equipment was necessitated by the huddles Postgraduate students go through, especially in hiring of equipment for their research.
He explained that besides the huge funds spent on such equipment, the result from such researches may not be accurate.
The Director of the Institute stated that with the equipment procured from internally generated revenue raised from the Institutes’ Journal of Geosciences and Environmental Research, students will no longer hire equipment for their research, but will have access to standard equipment, adding that they will only be charged a stipend to maintain the equipment.
Prof. Abam further stated that the equipment will also be of great benefit to academic staff research as well as the supervision of students’ project, stressing that the Institute will now have access to all data from different parts of the country.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Blessing C. Didia while unveiling the equipment commended the leadership of the Institute of Geosciences and Space Technology for placing the University above personal interest in using the funds generated from their journal to procure the equipment for the University.
Prof. Didia said that the gesture which has made the University proud, will further strengthen the growth and town relationship as the University is in a better positioned to address the challenges of the environment through researches that will be carried out with the equipment.
