FUPRE WINS N40.4M RESEARCH GRANT FROM CBN TO PRODUCE MEDICAL INNOVATIVE DEVICE
OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
The Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun(FUPRE) has won a forty million, four hundred thousand naira (N40,400,000:00) research grant for the manufacture of an innovative medical device known as MEDLINK, a programmable verbally interactive remote patient monitoring device used by physicians.
This was disclosed by Engr. Prof. Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun(FUPRE) on the occasion of his one year in office as the Vice Chancellor of the specialized university, he also disclosed that the non-implementation of the FUPRE Act is inhibiting the specialized University from fulfilling it’s statutory mandate of training manpower for the oil and gas industry.
On expansion of academic programmes, the Vice Chancellor of FUPRE further disclosed that within the period of one year under review, the University has gotten approval to begin seven(7) academic programmes after a rigorous verification exercise by the National Universities Commission (NUC), he listed the programmes to include Petrochemical Engineering , Computer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Gas Engineering, Statistics, Masters in Environmental Policy and Regulations and Science Laboratory Technologies.
Speaking on infrastructural development in the period under review, Prof. Akpofure gave a long list of ongoing projects at various levels of completion aimed at making the University a better place for academic work, he added that his administration maintains cordial relationship with staff and students with a view to ensue peaceful atmosphere for leaning and research work.
Prof. Akpofure disclosed that in keeping with the principles of accountability and transparency in governance, the University has put in place some internal mechanism to ensure strict monitoring and enforcement of compliance with financial guidelines regarding expenditure and project executions.
According to Prof. Akpofure, “FUPRE has won a N40,400,000:00( forty million, four hundred thousand naira research grant from the Central Bank of Nigeria( CBN) for the manufacture of an innovative medical device called MEDLINK. The device is a programmable verbally interactive remote patient monitoring one that physicians can use to monitor patients blood pressure ,blood glucose, pulse, heart beat, electrocardiography, electromyography, body temperature and respiratory data. The device transmits all measurements to the physicians mobile phones and e-mails.”
Speaking on the FUPRE Act, Prof. Akpofure has this to say, “when sections of the Act as signed into law by President on October 17, 2017 was interpreted, it was obvious that the Institution will not be able to fulfill it’s mandate of training manpower for oil and gas industry going by different sections of the establishing law and most importantly is Section 1 Subsection 4 which vested the responsibility of supervision of the University in the Ministry of Education. That Section 1 Subsection 4 places the University under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Education be amended to place the University under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.”
While commending the Tertiary Educational Trust Fund(TETFUND) for complying with Federal Government’s directive for the release of the Take-off grant of N500,000,000:00(five hundred million naira, Prof. Akpofure called on the Federal Government to prevail on the Petroleum Technology Development Fund(PTDF) to release the Take off grant as directed by the Federal Government .”
He added, “it will interest you to note that at the establishment of the University in 2017, the Federal Government directed the Petroleum Technology Development Trust Fund(PTDF) and TETFUND each to release the sum of N500,000,000:00 as Take off grant. TETFUND have since complied with the directive of Government except PTDF.”
The Vice Chancellor further disclosed that under his watch, the University is working hard to ensure financial sustainability, adding, “to achieve this, we have taken steps to ensure the University run a balanced operating budget without undermining our mission. Securing financial sustainability for the University will entail careful stewardship of our assets, protecting our existing resources and tapping new sources of revenue-all while improving our financial planning and ensuring greater efficiency in our work.”
