The Vice Chancellor, Federal of University Technology, Ikot Abasi (FUTIA), Professor Leo Daniel has pledged the commitment of the University to partner the Defence Research and Development Bureau(DRDB); a Bureau under the Federal Ministry of Defence, Abuja in their quest to utilize rich faculties from academic Institutions in the country to promote indigenous research and technological transfer towards solving national challenges.
Prof. Daniel made the pledge on Wednesday, 2nd April, 2025 when he received along with other Principal Officers of the University the Director General of Defence Research and Development Bureau(DRDB), Major General Emmanuel A. Ndagi at the Takeoff Campus of the University, Ikot Abasi on a Courtesy Visit.
The University don who is a Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics disclosed that the University is a specialized Institution established to champion academic excellence in the areas of Sciences, Technology and Innovation (STI) among others. He particularly mentioned some of the flagship Programmes of the University to include Aerospace Engineering, Naval Architecture, Cybersecurity, Software Engineering among others with rich faculties and researchers in various fields.
He assured that the Defence Research and Development Bureau (DRDB) have made the right choice in seeking collaboration with the Institution considering the academic capabilities and research focus of the University. He pledged the Institution’s readiness to undertake need-based researches that are tailored towards their needs and develop indigenous technologies that will satisfy the specific needs of the Bureau as enumerated as well as the general needs of other Research Institutes, Government Agencies, International Oil Companies, Multinational Industries operating in region and the nation.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of Defence Research and Development Bureau(DRDB), Major General Emmanuel A. Ndagi expressed appreciation to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Leo Daniel and the Management Team for the reception.
The Director General who was represented by the Director of Land Forces of the Bureau, Brigadier General Nsikak J. Edet declared the readiness of the Bureau to leverage on the firm research base and rich faculty of the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi towards finding indigenous and technologic driven solutions to the needs of the Bureau.
The Director General used the occasion to express the appreciation of the Bureau to the Vice Chancellor of FUTIA, Prof. Leo Daniel who was a Resource Person during the Defence Research and Development Bureau Annual Seminar & Exhibition 2024 held earlier on 15th October 2024 at the National Defence College, Abuja where he presented a paper on the theme: “Enhancing Synergy in Research and Development Towards a Robust Military Industrial Complex in Nigeria”.
Also on the delegation of the DRDB was the Deputy Director of Coordination, Navy Captain N. J. Diyoke.
High-points of the Courtesy Visit was the presentation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi and the Defence Research and Development Bureau as well as exchange of mementos. The visit equally featured thought provoking interactions and reviews of latest research works undertaken by the FUTIA faculty on various research areas including Artificial Intelligence, Mapping Systems, Infrared, Drone Systems, Robotics, Unmanned Rotorcraft Vehicles, Composite Material Designs, Mechatronics, Aeronautics & Astronautics among others which are components of the MOU.
Later in her vote of thanks on behalf of the University, the Registrar, Offiongita E. Nkang(Mrs) expressed appreciation to the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Bureau, the DRDB Delegation and the entire Bureau for the visit. She commended the Bureau for trusting in the specialized University to undertake research that will
Cater for the specific needs of the Bureau and generally for other industries.
Other Management Team in attendance includes, the University Bursar, Dr Mbobo Erasmus Mbobo, University Librarian, Prof. Philip Akor. Also in attendance were Provosts of Schools, Heads of Departments and Directors of Directorates.
