NISLT inducts fellows, readies postgraduate course For SLT

At a time when artificial intelligence is on the ascendency in many parts of the world, the newly inducted fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology (NISLT) have been tasked to make indelible contributions to the country’s knowledge economy.

In addition to this, they have equally been tasked to project the image of the profession, keep in focus its Code of Ethics, as well as align their skills, technical competences and training in dealing with emerging challenges in laboratory services vis-à-vis national development.

The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of NISLT Mr. Yemi Hezekiah Gbadegesin, while speaking at the induction of the fellows said: “For us to develop, we must methodically transform scientific knowledge into technological wonders just as other nations are doing. There is no doubt in my mind that these inductees today would form the nucleus of a Nigerian technological development group that will drive the force of our economy.”

He enjoined the graduands to exhibit a high standards of professionalism and ethical behavior as they carry out their practice saying: “At all times and in all situations, you must make principled and ethical choices in the application of the code of conduct…This profession expects you to prove yourselves every day.”

Gbadegesin informed that the institute has fashioned out a robust curriculum for postgraduate studies for graduates of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), who are willing to further their studies, and the revised document has already been forwarded to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for onward transmission to universities offering such courses.

He decried the illegal running of SLT programmes in some universities across the country, stressing that the institute was following up the matter with the NUC, and the Federal Ministry of Education with a view to stop all such illegal programmes being run.

While noting the importance of universities engaging in research, development and innovation that would create wealth for the nation and reduce poverty, he urged them to protect their Intellectual property Rights (IPR) through the National Office of Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), a parastatal under Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) in charge of patent for research findings.

The Chairman, Governing Council of the NISLT, Mr. Charles Obaseki, enumerated underfunding and poor policy implementation as key factors that are responsible for the low contribution of science and technology to industrial growth and national development. He said to improve on this, government and industries need to allocate more funds to research and development as well as in the implementation of well-articulated policies. The newly inducted fellows pledged their readiness to use their newly acquired status for the development of the profession.