UNN to host non-profit pharmaceutical firm from Oxford University

As part of its start-up, the International Centre for Biotechnology Research and Training at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka may benefit from the establishment of a non-profit pharmaceutical manufacturing plant to produce patented drugs from Oxford University in addition to its own researches.
The proposal of a pharmaceutical plant is one of several initiatives aimed at giving the UNESCO Category 2 centre for biotechnology a strong footing, as disclosed by Prof. Maciej Nalecz, the Director of Basic Sciences and Engineering of UNESCO, while speaking on “Biotechnology: Prospects and Challenges in Africa.”
Nalecz said: “It is at a very early stage and I hope it will be useful to the University.
“From what I understand, it will be useful.
“I understand Oxford University has a company, which is operational in the UK, but they would have a branch of this company somewhere in Africa and they are interested in it purely for developmental reasons.
“They would like to help Africa develop faster, so, it is nothing about business or making money or whatsoever.”
Speaking further, Prof. Nalecz also urged for the creation of a culture of inter-disciplinary science as a basic requirement for advocacy and popularisation of biotechnology, which he said is being threatened by a rising trend of brain drain.
Nalecz recalled that a Ministerial Round Table in 2007, under the auspices of UNESCO, had identified as the main challenge for science and technology the declining interest and enrolment of young people into science, mathematics and engineering faculties, especially women, at a time when there is an increasing need for them.
He warned: “Failure to meet this challenge of capacity will result in insufficient numbers of scientists, continued brain drain, skills shortages and ongoing impact on development, especially for developing and least-developed countries.”
Nalecz, who is also the Executive Secretary of the International Basic Sciences Programme at UNESCO, called for investment in science in Africa.
He urged that biotechnology is an obvious choice for Africa as it offers not only exciting research possibilities, but almost endless applications crucial to development such as in the agriculture, medicine and/or energy sectors
The seminar, held inside the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN, was part of a series of events put together by the International Biotechnology Centre, UNESCO Category 2, to mark its inaugural conference on Biotechnology.
It featured biotechnology and research experts from UNESCO and its collaborating Centres from across the globe.
The International Centre for Biotechnology at the University of Nigeria is the first UNESCO Category II Biotechnology facility in Africa.
UNESCO expects the Nsukka Centre to engage in identifying and developing of scientific talents, equipping teachers who would promote scientific knowledge and have strong institutional links with industry.
Nigeria and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation signed the final agreement on the establishment of the Centre on October 16, 2012.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqqayatu Ahmed Rufai, signed on behalf of Nigeria while the UNESCO Director General, Irina Bokova, signed for the United Nations body.
The UNN Vice Chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, was elected Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board for the International Centre for Biotechnology during the meeting of the Advisory Board on Tuesday.
Okolo said the University was glad for the collaboration that has enabled the Centre come under the umbrella of UNESCO, adding the it would further the internalisation drive of the University and its quest to become a global centre of excellence.