Fasusi Martins, Okitipupa
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The Ondo State University of Science and Technology (OSUSTECH) Okitipupa, has been described as the most suitable institution in the country for maritime studies.

Vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Sunday Ogunduyile  declared this in an  interview with The Hope in his office.

According to him, Ondo state has about 200 kilometers coastline which is the longest in Nigeria if not Africa, thereby making OSUSTECH strategically positioned for maritime studies .

Prof. Ogunduyile however described the State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN ) as a visionary leader who considers very crucial the economic importance of both the human and natural resources available in the State for optimum use .

In his words ” Mr. Governor has shown interest in maritime studies at the University since day one . He sees OSUSTECH as having a solid comparative advantage in maritime studies “

” The expected activities of the Olokola Free Trade Zone , the emergence of shipping ports and services and the abundant natural resources in the Southern Senatorial Zone make it necessary for the University to strategize for action “

Ogunduyile noted that the objective of  a Science and Technology University is to explore the basic concepts of physical science and earth science in order  to solve human problems.

” Technology brings out confidence through the knowledge and applications of practical skills to create products that solve human problems ” he said.

He added that their was a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and collaboration already signed with a Maritime University in the Caribbean, so as to fast track the smooth take-off of the maritime courses.

On what would be the impact of the maritime studies on the economy of the state and Nigeria as a whole ,the VC  said ” the maritime programme will save Nigeria billions of dollars as OSUSTECH will provide training in  maritime and maritime related programmes.

” It will provide opportunity to empower the youths by providing human capacity and sustainable training in maritime industry, ship yard and dockyard activities “

While speaking on how the programme would  be run, Ogunduyile explained that it will be domiciled in two existing faculties : Faculty of Science for Marine Science, Molecular Bioscience Neuroscience Courses, Natural Science and other related courses.

Faculty of Engineering will house Marine Engineering, Ship Building and Maintenance, Ocean Engineering among others.