A bill seeking to establish the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Manchok, Kaduna State, scaled second reading at the Senate on Tuesday.

This followed the presentation of the bill’s general principles by its sponsor, Sunday Katung (PDP-Kaduna), at plenary.

Presenting the bill, Mr Katung said it was read for the first time on July 27, 2023.

Mr Katung said the bill was designed to provide a highly specialised institution of learning that would provide a holistic view of science as a broad area and how elements of different applied sciences worked together.

“The objectives of the university, amongst others, is to provide courses of instruction and training and research in applied sciences,” he said.

He said the university would produce technicians and skilled personnel required for related industries.

Mr Katung said the skilled personnel would act as agents and catalysts through post-graduate training, research, and innovation for effective economic utilisation, exploitation, and conservation of Nigeria’s natural, economic, and human resources.

“The institution will also provide and promote sound basic scientific training as a foundation for the development of technology and applied sciences,” he said.

He said the Nigerian economy’s potential was very high, and high-level technical and scientific expertise was needed to achieve this potential.

The lawmaker said the university of applied sciences, although located in an existing institution, would attract some financial implications for its operational and physical structures.

He said these were necessary for a smooth take-off at the existing Federal College of Statistics, Manchok, in Kaduna state.

He urged lawmakers to support the bill.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Education for further legislative inputs by the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpiabio, to report back to plenary in three weeks.

The Senate also passed for second reading the establishment bill of the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration, sponsored by Suleiman Sadiq (APC-Kwara).

It was referred to the Senate Committee on Education for further legislative inputs to report back in two weeks.

(NAN)