The University of Port Harcourt today marked a significant milestone in its drive towards technological advancement and industry-driven research with the groundbreaking ceremony of the Energy Technology Institute Building—an iconic project donated by leading energy technology company, CypherCrescent.

The event, held on Monday ,April 14 at the university Park , attracted top stakeholders from Nigeria’s energy and tech ecosystem, including the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), NNPC Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI), NNPC New Energies, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), NIGCOMSAT, Triple Helix, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), among others.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, expressed heartfelt appreciation to CypherCrescent for what he described as a strategic investment in the future of energy education and human capital development.

“This donation is a testament to what is possible when academia and industry come together with a shared vision,” the Vice Chancellor said. “The Energy Technology Institute will not only serve the university community but the entire nation, providing a hub for innovation, training, and research that meets global standards.”

Professor Georgewill reiterated the university’s commitment to maintaining strong partnerships with industry leaders to ensure its students and researchers have access to cutting-edge tools and facilities that drive national development.

Highlighting the company’s motivation, CypherCrescent’s Technical Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. ThankGod Egbe, noted that the donation reflects the company’s unwavering belief in the transformative power of education, research, and homegrown solutions to challenges in the energy sector.

“We are excited to be part of UniPort’s bold vision,” Dr. Egbe stated. “This building is more than bricks and mortar—it’s a commitment to supporting innovation and developing the next generation of energy experts.”

The event featured the formal groundbreaking by the Vice Chancellor, alongside the unveiling of a 3D prototype of the Energy Technology Institute Building, which received enthusiastic applause from guests and partners.

Once completed, the Energy Technology Institute is expected to serve as a center of excellence for energy research and innovation, positioning the University of Port Harcourt as a national leader in technology-driven solutions for the energy sector.

The university community and its industry partners hailed the project as a visionary step forward—one that underscores UniPort’s resolve to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and to shape a better future through collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

By Sam Kpenu