THE GUEST LECTURER, DR. JOSEPH SHEVEL, MAKING A POINT WHILE (L-R), DVC (DEVELOPMENT), PROF. SEGUN LAGOKE, DVC (ACADEMIC), PROF. CHRYSS ONWUKA, THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROF. OLUWAFEMI OLAIYA BALOGUN AND THE DIRECTOR, (CENIP), DR. OLUKAYODE AKINYEMI.
The President of Galilee Management Institute, Israel, Dr. Joseph Shevel, has described investment in education as the gateway to a meaningful socio-economic development.
Dr. Shevel, who made this disclosure while delivering a Lecture titled, “The Role of Universities on Social and Economic Development: Implementation of the Israeli Experience to Nigeria”, attributed the rapid growth of the Israeli economy to advancement in education and research.
According to him, Israel started investing in education as far back as 63 years ago, when the first Prime Minister declared that every child must go to school or their fathers risked jail sentence.
Dr. Shevel noted that the policy paid dividend in catapulting Israel into becoming globally renowned as a leader in research and development, with about twenty four per cent of its workforce holding University degrees.
Dr. Shevel called on Nigeria to review its policy of excessive dependence on crude oil and start investing in education and research as means of boosting the economy.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwafemi Balogun, noted that the University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Galilee International Management Institute, Nahalal, Israel, as part of its internationalization efforts to keep abreast with progressive institutions in all parts of the world.
Professor Balogun stressed that the international collaboration would enable staff and students of the University to be conversant with advanced teaching tools to promote the next generation of scientists that will advocate and catalyze advancement in research.
The Vice-Chancellor added that several members of staff of the University, have benefited from the Galilee International Management Institute training, disclosing that another set was being prepared for the exercise.