Some staff of Federal Polytechnic Oko, who recently attended training at innovate hub Abuja on research for impact initiative have been received by the Rector, Dr. Chioma Irene Awuzie in her office.
The training which was sponsored by TETfund and attracted by Rector, Dr. Awuzie, ensured that five teaching staff of the Polytechnic benefitted. The training drew academics from science and technology departments across various institutions in the nation.
The training sought to expose researchers, technologists and academics on how to conduct research with impact on problem solving in order to better the society and also make for commercialisation of research ideas.
A member of the team, Mr. John Ibeh revealed that team Federal Polytechnic Oko during the training which held from November 17-28, 2025 identified a gap between the teaching of science education in urban and rural areas. This gap which is primarily due to lack of functional laboratories and lack of qualified science teachers for practicals especially in schools in the rural areas negatively effect performance by students in rural areas.
In order to address the problem, team Federal Polytechnic Oko worked together with team Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Cross River to develop a low cost science lab kit (lab genius) in order to help students in science classes have a hands on experience in physics, chemistry and biology practicals using QR- code generated video tutorials.
This apparatus effectively solves the issue of learning practicals by students and if commercialised will boost the performance of science students in the area of practicals.
The team displayed how to use the science lab kit apparatus to the Rector who was visibly elated. They further appreciated the Rector for the opportunity to attend the training which has greatly exposed them and reshaped their mindset towards research. They equally thanked TETFund for facilitating the training which is a big boost for human capacity development.
The Rector in her remarks welcomed the team urging them to engage what they have learnt to impact their colleagues . She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his renewed hope agenda that is impacting positively on education in the country.
She also thanked TETFund led by the Executive Secretary, Arch Sonny Echono for giving Federal Polytechnic Oko staff the privilege to attend the training. The Rector, hoped for the commercialisation of the science kit apparatus in order to improve the performance of students in the area of science subjects.
