Abia State Government has announced plans to launch an online platform aimed at promoting Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education among secondary school students in the state.
The Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. David Kalu, disclosed this during a press briefing on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
According to Mr. Kalu, the initiative is designed to enhance the teaching and learning of STEM subjects in secondary schools, with the aim of preparing students for careers in Science, Engineering, Technology, and Mathematics.
“We are investing in the future to produce more Scientists, Engineers, Technicians, and Technologists in Abia.
“So with this online platform, we would be able to reach out to students across the state. It would be accessible on personal computers, smartphones, and all technologies,” he said.
In addition to the STEM initiative, the Commissioner revealed plans by the state government to domesticate the Federal Start-Up Act to support technology-based start-ups in the state.
Abia Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr David Kalu
He said that the move would provide training on business processes, branding, online content creation, and other critical areas for entrepreneurs.
“If it (the start-up) is a very lucrative business, we may be able to offer hosting them to some extent. Also, where possible, funding would be made available.
“All sorts of areas are being explored, and with this, we are producing a draft act, which we will be reviewing with stakeholders and eventually passing to the House of Assembly for approval,” Kalu explained.
The Commissioner also highlighted the government’s readiness to roll out broadband infrastructure to foster technological growth in Abia, adding that a regulation known as the “Right of Way Policy” would be introduced to facilitate the policy.
He said that the regulation would establish guidelines for laying telecommunication cables necessary for broadband deployment.
“For instance, if you dig up a road, you have to restore the road to the exact condition you met it.
“This regulation will make anyone coming to lay cables do it in a fashion that would be convenient for Abia citizens,” he said.
