Prof. Promise Mebine, the Director/Chief Executive, National Mathematical Centre (NMC), has called for the establishment of a National Mathematical Sciences University to aid the teaching and learning of mathematics related courses.
Mebine made the call in a document made available to Newsmen on Monday in Abuja.
He said the university was necessary, considering the importance of mathematics and its applications in conjunction with the dearth of mathematicians in the Country.
According to him, the University, when operational, will award certificates and degrees like Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees.
He explained that this would be in the five programmes of the Centre namely; Mathematics, Computer Science, Theoretical Physics, Statistics and Mathematical Sciences Education.
Mebine noted that measures were being taken to amend the Act of the National Mathematical Centre, adding that the proposal had been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure realisation.
While reiterating his drive to reposition the study of mathematics in the country, he said various training and workshops were organised by the centre to highlight the core values in the area of mathematics.
He said the monthly seminars were conducted under Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as well as Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in line with the respective programmes of the Centre.
“There is also the conduct of the National Olympiad examinations and subsequent participation of Nigeria in the various International Olympiads”.
He listed the Olympiads to include the Pan African Mathematics Olympiad (PAMO), International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO), International Physics Olympiad (IPHO),
Others he mentioned were International Chemistry Olympiad (ICHO), International Biology Olympiad (IBO) and International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI).
“It is also worthy to note that Nigeria won three medals, a gold medal and two bronzes in the 2022 International Olympiad Competitions among others”.
Mebine further restated the Centre’s efforts geared towards achieving its core mandate and value.
On development of resource materials, the director said that the need for quality resource materials in mathematical sciences could not be overemphasised.
He said that the centre provided teaching modules from JSS 1 to JSS 3 and SSS 1 to SSS 3 including Digital Mathematics.
“Also, textbooks on perceived difficult concepts in mathematics were provided,” he said.
Mebine further said that the centre was collaborating with the state government and some parastatal agencies to drive its mandate.
He said that the centre established and sustained collaboration with national and international bodies in areas of research, modeling and personnel development.(NAN)
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