AUST launches business incubation centre to address challenges

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja has launched a business incubation centre; AUSTInspire Business Incubation Centre.

The centre is meant to encourage innovation in the university and the global society.

Speaking, the Acting President of the University, Prof Azikiwe Onwualu, who unveiled the hub, said the centre would enable staff and students of the institution to translate their researches into problem-solving products and services that benefits society.

“We have decided to take a step about taking our researches to the next level, bringing it to reality.

“We have excelled in the aspect of research and publications but we have told ourselves the truth, the researches and publications must translate into something tangible.

“Very soon, you will not only see our publications but also our products from the researches.”

Similarly, Chief Executive Officer of CcHUB - managers of the Centre, Bosun Tijani, said the mission of the incubation centre was to leverage on science and technology to bring about prosperity to the people.

“We are looking at innovations that solve real problems not just in Nigeria but also in Africa.”

On his part, Jude Adejunwon, the Practice Lead of Higher Education Initiative, CcHUB, said Africa can not enter prosperity until her universities sit up.

“They should start looking at our problems and start designing ways to solve them. People think the university’s role is just to train students and release them into the labour market but that is not true.

“It is only through a hub like this that we can move research to help people on the ground,” he said.

On his part, Dr Vitalis Anye, Head of Material Engineering Department and the Project Coordinator for AUSTInspire Business Incubation Center said, “We want to translate research in to tangible products and services. We want to move from research to the market. We can also innovate around processes, business and technology.

He identified funding as one of the major challenges but said they are discussing with investors to fund various projects.

He added that local materials will be used to solve African problems.