Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory Technologists, NISLT has inducted 610 Laboratory Technologists trained by the University of Port Harcourt.

The ranks of laboratory scientists grew last Tuesday, following the induction of a total of 610 Laboratory Technologists trained by the University of Port Harcourt into Associate Membership of the Nigeria Institute of Science Laboratory Technologists (NISLT).

Performing the induction ceremony, Acting Registrar/Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NISLT, Mr. Yemi Gbodegesin, charged the new Laboratory Technologists to carry out their activities in line with the standards and ethics of the profession. He commended the authorities of the University for providing an enabling environment for the training of the students. “I want to inform you that the SLT programme demands honesty, hard work, resilience, patience, humanitarian feelings and compassion of you. As you proceed into the world to practise this noble profession, I want to implore you to maintain a high level of ethical standards,” he admonished the graduands, adding: “You are also to assert yourselves and project the image of the profession as you undertake your practice in the service of this great nation.”

The Acting Director-General described being a Science Laboratory Technologist as a calling, noting that it was more than a vocation that enabled the practitioner serve the nation positively. He called on government to strengthen University/Industry partnership by providing the enabling environment for the parties to operate in a tripartite funding mechanism for research and development to thrive and benefit the larger society. He expressed gratitude to the University for commissioning a massive building dedicated to the SSLT.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Lale, described the induction “as yet another unique opportunity to evaluate the progress recorded in the teaching of Science Laboratory Technology programme in this University and chart a better way forward. We are happy to note that the quality of teaching and learning in the SSLT programme has increasingly matured far beyond the modest expectations of its founders and thus deserves more institutional support from the University and NISLT.” He charged the inductees to be worthy ambassadors of their Alma Mater wherever they may find themselves, and always remember the University that gave them personal and professional identity.

Earlier in her address, Dean of the School, Professor Grace Awi-Waadu, disclosed that the SSLT has produced several talented graduates who man critical positions in laboratories in the University and elsewhere. “Our graduates have made several useful innovations in the course of their training,” she told the gathering, expressing gratitude to all those who made the training of the inductees a success.

Speaking on behalf of the inductees, the Valedictorian, Miss Danny Onuchuku, thanked authorities of the University, parents and guardians as well as lecturers, for providing them with the skills they were taking to the society, promising not to disappoint the University. She added that they were extremely gratified by the experience they gained from the University, hoping that Management would continue to support the SSLT programme. Three graduands obtained the First-Class degree at the in the combined 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 academic sessions.

Highlights of the colourful ceremony were an Induction Lecture entitled, Science Laboratory Education and Research: Fulcrum for National Development, by the Director of the Centre for Oilfield Chemicals Research, Professor Ogbonna Joel, as well as award of Prizes to Best Graduating Students in the various subject areas. 

Earlier, the NISLT delegation had paid a courtesy visit on the Vice-Chancellor, during which the Acting Registrar stressed the need for the authorities to include entrepreneurial education in the SLT curricula to enable students learn how to fabricate tools. Mr. Gbodegesin also appealed to Management to include a trained and licenced Technologist on the University’s Procurement Committee to ensure proper products quality.