The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) has launched a $17.4 million partnership with MIDAS IT, India, a software company, towards providing engineering education in 15 Nigerian universities.

Felicia Agubata, vice president, NSE Corporate Services, in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos, said the support areas for the universities include civil, structural and geotechnical engineering education and research.

She said the initiative was part of the NSE’s ongoing efforts to enhance the practical knowledge and technical capabilities of engineering students in Nigeria.

According to her, the donation of MIDAS software packages through the partnership will empower students and academic staff with state-of-the-art tools for design and analysis, helping to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world engineering applications.

She added that MIDAS IT had committed to providing 25 licences each for the MIDAS Civil, MIDAS Gen, and MIDAS GTS NX software to each of the 15 benefitting universities.

“The software will aid students and researchers in areas such as bridge engineering, structural design, and geotechnical engineering.

“Additionally, MIDAS IT will conduct monthly online seminars and faculty development programmes, ensuring that academic staff and students are proficient in the software’s capabilities,” she said.

Speaking on the partnership, NSE’s president, Margaret Oguntala, expressed appreciation for MIDAS IT’s generous donation.

Ms Oguntala highlighted the donation’s alignment with NSE’s mission to foster technological innovation and improve the quality of engineering education in Nigeria.

“This donation represents a major intervention to enhance the practical skills of our students and ensure that they are well-prepared for the demands of global engineering practice,” she said.

The president added that the donation would significantly contribute to the development of highly skilled, globally competitive engineering professionals.

Akshay Magar, partners manager at MIDAS IT, expressed excitement at the opportunity to support Nigeria’s engineering education system with the donation of the firm’s software.

“By providing these advanced tools, we hope to empower students and faculty with the capabilities needed to innovate and address the challenges of modern engineering.

“This partnership is part of our ongoing commitment to knowledge transfer and capacity building, ensuring that the next generation of engineers are equipped for success on the global stage,” he said.

The benefitting universities include Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Lagos; and Federal University of Technology, Owerri.