By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaboration on training and research in nuclear science and technology.
A statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs Directorate of the university, Malam Auwal Umar said the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kabiru Bala, represented by Prof. Danladi Ameh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the ABU, while the Commandant, Maj.-Gen. I.M. Yusuf, signed for NDA.
He said the agreement provides that ABU would be organising series of training on nuclear science and technology for cadets and postgraduate students of the NDA.
According to him, the university would make a semester provision for NDA cadets’ Industrial Works Experience in nuclear science and technology, materials science and development, health physics and radiation biophysics, engineering instrumentation, and design.
The statement added that the university will also make a provision annually for training on radiation and nuclear instrumentation as well as application training for postgraduate students of the NDA.
“ABU is expected to provide technical support in developing institutional research capacity in basic nuclear science and nuclear analytical techniques.
“In this regard, Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria will organise the research activities and training for NDA cadets and postgraduate students.
“While the Nigerian Defence Academy shall, among others, be responsible for facilitation of access to cadets for Cadets’ Industrial Works Experience and postgraduate students for nuclear instrumentation and application training.
“Both the Vice-Chancellor and the Commandant pledged to keep the parties’ respective obligations alive to ensure the sustenance of the memorandum of understanding,” Umar said.
He added that the MoU shall be renewed every three years by a mutually written agreement between the institutions.
He also quoted the Vice-Chancellor, describing NDA as a long standing friend of ABU, stressing that the pact would further enhance the cordial ties between the two institutions.
In his remarks, the Commandant assured that the NDA would play its own part and that keeping the MoU alive would be a “practical demonstration” that the pact would work well,’’ Umar said.
