In a world where education has advanced beyond the classroom, excursion visits provide students a unique learning opportunity beyond the classrooms. Bearing this in mind, NAVRC has continued to create opportunities for students from various institutions of higher learning across the country; to embark on a tour of the Centre periodically. This offers them unique opportunity to experience firsthand some vector research activities, and their application in disease vectors management and control.
Recently, the 300 level Biology students of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo(AE-FUNAI), led by their Course Coordinator, Dr. Confidence Ogbonna, came on a tour of NAVRC. The visiting students were taken on a tour of the NAVRC’s Insectary and the different scientific sections where vector control research activities are carried out.
At the Insectary, the students were exposed to knowledge on the unique identification features of each of the mosquitoes, their life stages, feeding patterns, biting indices etc They were also shown the different collection methods for the eggs, larvae and adult mosquitoes.
Cages where mosquitoes are reared
Sugar solution for feeding mosquitoes in the cages
During their visit to the Phtyo-chemistry laboratory, the students were shown the processes of extracting active plant ingredients which can be used in vector control. At the Molecular Biology laboratory, they were taken on molecular speciation. Mosquito DNA extraction procedures, master mixing and Gel-electrophoresis. They were also taught the uses of the equipment in each of the laboratory visited.
As an assessment of the impact of the training, each of the students were given opportunity to identify the different species of mosquitoes present with the aid of a microscope.
identification of the mosquito species through the microscope
The visit also provided opportunity for the students to see the different colonies of mosquito-Aedes, Anopheles and Culex mosquitoes which have being maintained over the years for research purposes .This visit no doubt provided a valuable opportunity for the students to gain better understanding of the theoretical concepts they learn in the classrooms.
The Students in a group photograph with their Course Coordinator, Dr. Confidence Ogbonna, and their training facilitators at the end of their visit
