By Jacinta Nwachukwu
Some researchers have expressed concern over the poor funding of the National Mathematical Centre (NMC) and called for more funds to be allocated to it.
They spoke at the closing ceremony of a research oriented course in “Modern Aspects of Theoretical Physics and Applications to Physical Problem” on Thursday at Sheda, Kwali Area Council.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the two weeks programme was organised by NMC for postgraduate students and researchers from several tertiary institutions across the country.
Mr Imrama Habibat, one of the participants, said adequate funding for research and educational institutions in the field of theoretical physics could address resource constraints and support innovative projects.
Habibat said that the two weeks programme on research oriented course might not have provided the participants with sufficient depth of knowledge considering the vastness of the field.
He called on the Federal Government and other donor agencies to support the Centre for its optimal performance.
“The lack of the capacity to award certification and degree like postgraduate is a minus to the mandate of NMC and for such impactful programme.
“Insufficient infrastructure like power supply, computing facilities among others is also a challenge that needs urgent and adequate attention in NMC,” he said.
Mr Egboli Thomas, another participant, appreciated the organiser of the programme, saying that the knowledge gained would help him in further research projects.
According to him, the workshop equips the participants with the necessary skills, knowledge and tools to conduct effective research to further express theoretical ideas in order to proffer solutions to real World problems.
Earlier, the acting Coordinator of Theoretical Physics Programme, NMC, Dr Lewis Obagboye, said the aim of the training was to primarily enhance the research skills of postgraduate students and lecturers of physics to address modern challenges in the field.
Obagboye said it was in line with centre’s mandate and commitment to empower physicists and other researchers in related fields with the essential skills and knowledge for conducting effective and efficient research in the modern aspect of theoretical physics.
“When we talk about theoretical physics, it has to do with a framework that drives the experimental aspect of physics.
“For instance, most of the things you see today like the phones we use were initially theorised and the experimentalists carried out their findings and brought these things to work.
“So the physicists and mathematicians feed the experimentalists, the engineers of what to do,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive, NMC, Prof.
Promise Mebine, said there was need to convert NMC to Centre to National University of Mathematical Sciences, saying that “everything around us is mathematics”.
Mebine said that the centre was about 35 years old, and for it to fulfill its mandate effectively, it had to be converted to the National University of Mathematical Sciences.
“We don’t want to run undergraduates programmes but postgraduate degree programmes, Master’s degree programmes and PhD programmes,” he said.
He explained that the programmes would be in the five programmes of the centre namely- Mathematics, Computer Science, Theoretical Physics, Statistics and Mathematical Sciences Education.
Mebine, therefore, urged the participants to keep on putting the knowledge gained into practice, while urging parents to encourage their wards or children in the study of Mathematics.
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============Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo