...advises African governments to invest in green mobility education
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
Hon. Prof. Umar Katsayal, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Transportation, Daura, in a paper titled; Sustainable Transportation Education at the 3rd Africa Education Summit held Zimbabwe on Saturday, said sustainable transport education is key to Africa's green economy, asking African Universities to collaborate in developing skilled professionals for sustainable transportation.
He advised African governments to invest in green mobility education, create policy frameworks and to adequately fund it.
The details of his presentations at the International Conference was made available through a Press release and signed by Umar Usman, Chief Information and Communication Officer at the University, stating that Prof. Katsayal during his presentation, showcased the specialized nature of the University and the various courses it offers being the first of its kind in Africa with the expectation that countries in the continent would appropriate the opportunities that are provided by the University to their own advantages.
The statement reads in part; "As the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of the first University of Transportation in Nigeria and Africa, Professor Katsayal had since started making efforts to increase the visibility of the young University among African countries and beyond, thereby providing equal opportunities for all and sundry to study at the University.
"It could be recalled that the Vice-Chancellor had in December, 2023 attended a Russia – Africa summit in Russia where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the Establishment of Public Professional Association of Technical Universities in which he played a very significant role.
"In December 2023, He also attended the 1st International Workshop and Study Tour at Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China in June, 2024, attended an International Science Popularization Roundtable Discussion where 17 developing countries and leaders from 7 Chinese academic associations were represented.
"To also start the University on the right footings, the Vice-Chancellor had signed MoU on behalf of the University with Deqing Association for Geospatial Information Professionals, China in the field of Geospatial and Technology, Training and Applications and Russian University of Transportation, among others.
"Locally, the Vice-Chancellor, Hon. Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni had undertaken many visitations to relevant MDAs such as the NCC, NIMASA, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NITT, NTI, NCAT, NRC, among others; with the aim of linking the University with relevant stakeholders, regulatiors and practitioners in the field of transportation industry for a rapid growth and development of the young University.
"As a result of these visitations, the University had signed MoUs with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Sustainable Procurement and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSECE), ABU, Zaria, and many others."
The release also said, Hon. Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal attended along with the Prof. Abubakar Ahmed, the University's Director of Academic Planning and Monitoring in Zimbabwe Which is organised by the Global Skills Hub, United Kingdom and the Africa Education Stakeholders in partnership with the Government of Zimbabwe and supported by the Lion Outreach International.
The summit which commenced on Thursday, 3rd April, 2025 was declared opened by the Zimbabwen President and Head of State and Government of Zimbabwe, His Excellency, Cmrd. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and featured dynamic seasoned educators, captains of institutions, policymakers, professionals and NGOs.
The summit was a premier platform, uniting distinguished leaders in education, policymakers, education funders, development partners and thought leaders dedicated to transforming the future of education across the continent.
The approach of this year's summit was themed "Translating our Educational Advancement to Continental Development: A Strategic Approach."
The present summit was not just a gathering of like minds but a consolidated initiatives aimed at equipping the continent of Africa with its desired future leaders.
It was further expected to serve as a platform for knowledge sharing, strategic partnerships, and a united effort to advance educational excellence across Africa.
The Zimbabwen President, in his Keynote Address called on delegates to centre the discussion on innovation and promote articulated ideas that would move Africa by African themselves.
"The Summit must proffer solutions that will enable developmental progress across the African continent by African and further reshape our educational system to harness our youth for the betterment of Africa", he said.
He further called on the delegates to work concertedly to convert our schools to incubators of innovators to create jobs not only to speak English, a language that their forefathers did not speak, affirming that the current African leaders are ready to give all the necessary supports for the teaming African children access to education and good life.
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