In a momentous stride towards advancing the frontiers of STEM education and innovative development in Enugu State, the management team of DNA Learning Center, Nigeria, led by the esteemed Director, Prof. George Ude, and Assistant Director, Michael Okoro, recently embarked on a courtesy visit to the State University of Medical and Applied Sciences (SUMAS). The visit was not only a gesture of goodwill but also marked the beginning of a discussion on an establishment of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Welcomed by the Vice Chancellor of SUMAS, Prof. James Chukwuma Ogbonna, and the entire management team, the visit underscored DNALC Nigeria's commitment to contributing to the growth of STEM fields in Enugu State and Nigeria at large. Prof. Ogbonna commended Prof. Ude as a distinguished professional making significant contributions to human capacity development in Nigeria, despite his international standing.
Sharing insights into the history and mission of SUMAS, Prof. Ogbonna revealed that the university, established in 2022 under the leadership of former Governor Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, originally conceived as a specialist hospital, evolved into a cutting-edge institution focusing on medical and applied Sciences. The university boasts a 120 bedded well equipped medical mentre, a teaching hospital under construction, six faculty buildings each with eight to twelf laboratory spaces and classrooms, offering a total of 23 programs.
Expressing optimism about the collaboration, Prof. Ude congratulated SUMAS on its commendable initiatives and emphasized the tremendous opportunity to pioneer groundbreaking projects. He outlined the history and global presence of DNALC Nigeria, highlighting its state-of-the-art facilities and its role in training professionals and students in modern research techniques.
Prof. Ude explained that DNALC Nigeria goes beyond undergraduate training, extending its reach to secondary school students through donor-funded programs. He disclosed the center's recent focus on forensic sciences, with ongoing discussions with the state governor to enable critical forensic investigations such as paternity testing and criminal investigations.
Addressing the university's needs for capacity building, Prof. Ude emphasized DNALC Nigeria's readiness to offer customized courses, including hands-on experiences in human genetics, DNA fingerprinting, disease discovery, and microbiomism. He stressed the importance of adequately trained personnel to maximize the potential of laboratory equipment.
Assistant Director Michael Okoro, a product of hands-on learning, encouraged SUMAS to seize the opportunity for students to gain firsthand experience with global standards. He also recalled how courtesy of the enabling environment provided by the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Rev. Fr. Professor Christian Anieke helped fine-tuned his skill set and placed him on a strong pedestal of learning and development. Godfrey Okoye University is the host university of DNALC, Nigeria.
The Vice Chancellor of SUMAS however expressed willingness to collaborate with DNALC Nigeria, acknowledging potential economic challenges and proposing joint efforts to secure sponsorships for research opportunities.
As the visit concluded, a tour of the university's science labs underscored the commitment of both institutions to fostering a partnership that promises a bright future for STEM education and research development in Enugu State.