Laboratory technologists drawn from universities and polytechnics, recently received training on microscopy and standard laboratory best practices at the Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan.
In his opening remarks at the event, the head, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Dr Samuel Gbadebo Olukole, urged participants to take advantage of the training in improving on their technical skills. Dr Olukole maintained that dwelling on theoretical knowledge at the expense of the practical aspects will only result in the production of “scientists” who can only speak English Language but can hardly fit as professionals in their fields. He stressed that it was not enough to complain that STEM graduates in developing countries are fast becoming deficient in required skills, adding that their trainers must also step on skill acquisition and impartation.
Two special sessions held during the event: the role of technical skills in laboratory practice for efficient delivery in the STEM disciplines, delivered by a guest trainer, Mr Kehinde Ayano of the Computer and Infotechnology Department, Purdue University, Indiana, United States. The other session, the skills needed in the productions of quality histological slides for teaching and research, was taken by the head of technical unit, Department of Veterinary Anatomy University of Ibadan, Mr Adesina Ramoni. Introducing Mr Ayano, Mr Ramoni informed the gathering that the choice of Mr Ayano as the guest trainer was borne out of Mr Ayano’s giant strides in laboratory practice including his role in the establishment and smooth running of the Computer and Electronics Engineering Laboratory, Lead City University, Ibadan, in 2004 among other laboratories for teaching and research.
According to Mr Ramoni, the protocols for laboratory safety and equipment usage designed and implemented by Mr Ayano are not only still in use at Computer and Electronics Engineering Laboratory, Lead City University, but have also received widespread application in similar institutions in Southwest Nigeria. He maintained that Mr Ayano is reputed for his contributions in capacity building for laboratory technologists and in the setting up of laboratories. He described Mr Ayano as one of the Nigeria-born US-based extraordinary skilled individuals with laudable achievements in electrical and electronics engineering, cybersecurity and telecommunications in addition to laboratory practice.
Mr Kehinde Ayano took participants through the session, hammering that skill acquisition is key to accurate and effective delivery in laboratory technology. He further explained his role in the establishment and maintenance of the Computer and Electronics Engineering Laboratory, Lead City University, Ibadan. He added that as the pioneer tutor and technologist, he designed the laboratory and its protocols, selected equipment and set it up to create a high-quality environment for hands-on learning and advanced research. He emphasized how his background in electrical and electronic engineering equipped him with skills needed in cybersecurity and telecommunications.
Mr Ayano maintained that without the necessary skills, even in the presence of state-of-the-art equipment in any laboratory, technologists will make no meaningful achievements. He further demonstrated how disastrous it can end up putting a poorly skilled technologists in charge of a functional laboratory. On microscopy, Mr Ayano maintained that the knowledge of optics, a branch of Physics, is an integral concept in the mechanism of microscopy. Demonstrating from basic principles of reflection and refraction of light, Mr Ayano simplified how images are captured and vividly pointed out the critical stages that must be in focussed for quality output in microscopy. Mr Ayano maintained that lack of the required skills in laboratory practise has greatly affected teaching and research over the years and therefore called for regular training and re-training of laboratory technologists in line with global best practises.
On his part, Mr Adesina Ramoni demonstrated the significance of basic paraffin techniques in microscopy, stressing that producing quality slides starts from proper tissues collection followed excellent tissue processing skills. He demonstrated fixatives preparation and reiterated the need for a sound knowledge tissue reaction in the preparation of histological slides. He led participants to the histology laboratory where he exposed them to hands-on training session on the preparation of histological slides for teaching and research. Taking the technologists through practical sessions on tissue processing and the use of microtomes, Mr Ramoni led each participant to produce a slide each from selected tissues guiding them through the critical stages. Slides produced were mounted and viewed under the microscope under the supervision of Mr Ramoni. Participants at the training resolved to put the skills gained to practice at their various laboratories. They also thanked the head of Department of Veterinary Anatomy for providing the platform for the training while appreciating the facilitators for imparting them from their wealth of knowledge.
