campuswaka.com:sudents' voice

University of Nigeria will be the rendezvous of UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology-world of science,where UNN hosts the first meeting of the Scientific Advisory Board of the UNESCO International Centre for Biotechnology (Category II) in Africa as the organization would be holding aalso be holding a one day seminar with the Theme "Biotechnology: Prospects and Challenges for Africa",which would run from the 4th -8th of February 2013,which would see Professor M. Nalecz, director of the Division of Basic Science and Engineering and Director General of the International Basic Science Program (IBSP) at UNESCO HQ as the key speaker.The University of Nigeria is the first to own a UNESCO Category II Biotechnology facility in Africa, An agreement which was signed and finalized by Nigeria and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation saw the establishment of the Centre on October 16, 2012 . Minister of Education Prof Ruqqayatu Ahmed Rufai signed on behalf of Nigeria while UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova signed on behalf of the United Nations body.University of Nigeria's Vice Chancellor Prof Bartholomew Ndubuisi Okolo said the meeting of the Scientific Board is to "Develop operational model for start-up of the Centre,"also, "Heads of Biotech Centres across the world will attend the meeting and seminar. where They will use the oppurtunity to explain to the Universitytheir experiences in running such centers across the world. "The International Centre for Biotechnology at the University of Nigeria would also focus on food security, research and training and also tropical disease research. Furthermore other issues to be looked into by the Board are needs and priorities of the Africa region in the focal areas versus global structure and restructuring,equipment needed by the Centre, infrastructure considerations as well as specific laboratory needs and safety matters.