The university campus of Natitingou launched its 2nd Scientific Days on Thursday 27 November. The events were held in the Amphi 1000 of the Ecole Normale Supérieur de Natitingou in the presence of rectoral and communal authorities, teaching staff, students and actors of the scientific world.
“Science and Technology for Education: Building Post-Pandemic Resilience through Innovation” is the main theme around which the actors of the scientific community of this university campus will reflect during these 2nd Scientific Days. They bring together scientific research and innovation professionals to share their expertise and experience and to present research results in order to advance their work.
Chaired by Dr (MC) LOGBO Harrod, teacher-researcher at the Faculty of Science and Technology of Natitingou, the organisation of this activity supports the development and promotion of scientific research at UNSTIM. In his welcome speech, he recalled the particular context in which these scientific conferences were held. A post-Covid 19 context that has shaken up habits and forced the world to conform to new changes. “During the pandemic crisis, the slowdown in academic and scientific activities was very noticeable. It was therefore an opportunity to learn from it. The chosen theme sufficiently sets the contextual and situational markers for the search for resilient solutions to the crisis for a revival of academic and scientific activities that were once moribund” he added.
For the Vice-Rector in charge of University Research at the National University of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (UNSTIM), Professor Aristide Comlan Houngan, representing the Rector, this scientific café, which is in its second edition in the history of the Natitingou University Centre, is proof that scientific research must resolutely serve the community and be at the heart of development. It should also contribute to the improvement of people’s living conditions.
“The vision of the rectoral team is to make UNSTIM a University of excellence in diversified and inclusive research as an engine of socio-economic progress, recognised throughout the world. This ambition is in line with strategic axis 5 (promotion of quality education and TVET) of pillar 2 (pursue the structural transformation of the economy) of the PAG n°2 (2021-2026) and of the ODD4 (ensure that all can follow a quality education in conditions of equity and promote lifelong learning opportunities)”, he specified.
In addition, the representative of the mayor of Natitingou, present to accompany the administrative authorities in the heavy mission assigned to them, invited the actors to play their role fully and to promote the results of the research.
It should also be pointed out that this major scientific meeting brought together researchers, teacher-researchers, scientists, actors from the professional world, business leaders and others, with several communications on the menu. An inaugural conference led by Professor Jacques K. Fatombi on the theme: “Emerging water pollutants: processes and treatment”, officially opened the communications.
It should be noted that the Natitingou university centre includes the Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) and the Faculty of Science and Technology (FAST). These thematic entities are specialised in the exact and natural sciences; an area where scientific research and innovation are to be prioritised. This is why the rectoral authorities of UNSTIM have initiated a fund to promote scientific research.
A key scientific event in the history of the two entities, these three days of work will encourage exchanges between researchers from all disciplines and promote interdisciplinarity. The work will be completed on Saturday 29 October 2022.