By Wole Balogun
SA Media to VC
Recently, the Management of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), under the leadership of the visionary and progressively minded Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina, sponsored series of Webinars geared towards equipping and training scholars of the University with skills that enable them to carry out researches that attract international grants and global clout as academics. The series of webinars were organized by the University’s Directorate of Research, Innovation and Linkages Programmes (DRILP), headed by Prof. Olayide Lawal.
In a recent webinar tagged:” Knowledge Production, Diffusion and Sustenance: The Application of Inter-/multi-institutional Collaboration and Opportunities for Research Grant in Nigerian Universities “, delivered by Prof. Lateef Sanni, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stored Products Research Institute (NSPRI), Ilorin, Kwara State,
which turned out to be an exciting eye-opener for all the lecturers of the University who participated online, the erudite professor used the occasion to enlighten the participants on the limitless opportunities that are available for research grants that are inter-and multi-institutionally based.
He harped on the need for all scholars to strive for collective research endeavours that involve academics from several tertiary institutions nationally and across the globe. He also dissuaded academics from the tendencies of carrying out their researches alone, advising that inter-/multi-institutional approach attracts quality research grants from donors as well as guarantees cutting-edge researches that ultimately solve societal problems.
Prof. Sanni disclosed that Universities generate knowledge that are useful in diverse fields of learning and endeavour, adding that Knowledge is generated through Research and that any available knowledge in an organization is sum of what the people know and what is stored in its repository.
He described Collaborative/multi-institutional research as that research conducted in conjunction with an another institution and which involves the application of Inter-/Multi-institutional Collaboration in diverse areas of Culture, Processes, Environment, and Technologies. The erudite scholar also advised that : “learning among different Sectors/Institutions is important for knowledge production and diffusion as It aids innovation.”
He harped on knowledge management besides its production and states that experience of a researcher, the value of the knowledge he or she produces, its context and the intuition of the researcher, are crucial towards Identifying the most valuable Knowledge.
Stressing on the impact of academic institutions on their societies, he listed such influences as giving opportunities, growing the host countries’ economy, solving global challenges, equipping graduates with skills, increasing production and ultimately ensuring job creation and more income to stakeholders, among others, as imperatives every academic institutions should strive to achieve.
He explained what he termed Research for Development as research targeted towards innovation which in turn ensures Discovery, has Potential useful purpose, creates Specific technology, attracts, Potential user and creates Product. He listed the types of researches to include Basic research and Applied research which according to him, can have its uses to include Commercialization and utilization ensuring Knowledge transfer and Technology development among others. He said the foregoing are reasons why the academic institutions exist.
Prof. Sanni disclosed areas where grants are available and which scholars could focus on in addressing societal challenges to include Climate change, Water resource management, Healthcare,Food security, and Economic growth. He further explained that collaborations in research endeavours offer skills, contribute to knowledge, allow generous sharing of resources , improve creativity and innovations, lead to Joint publication, joint research and ultimately
increase experiential learning which according to him, is very important for all scholars.
The CEO of NSPRI did not stop only at harping on the imperatives of inter-/multi-institutional approach in conducting researches, he taught the participants how to embark on such endeavours. He said: “Begin with a clear purpose and scope; Define the goals; Objectives and Expectations of the collaboration…It is important to choose compatible and committed partners, who have similar or complementary strengths, needs, and values.”
Prof. Sanni equally listed some donors and development partners who give research grants to include UNIDO, USAID, BMGF, EUs…NGOSs: PIND, GIZ, Sahel Consult and others. He advised researchers to leverage with development partners, professional bodies such as the African Centre of Excellence, tetfund, Agric Research Council Funds and Private Foundations among others.
He enlightened the participants on the operations of grants giving donors and development partners, saying:” Donors issue Calls for Research Proposals, adding that Some donors request for Concept Notes before requesting for proposal and may specify a given focus of the intended research area…donors will give guidelines – duration, size of grants, deadlines, etc; donors are concerned about Impacts and Developments – You need to learn how to “sell” your research in terms of “development issues”…Most donors promote research in the 1 – 3 years cycles and they do not always pay all the cost of a research project”.
Concluding his lecture, Prof Sanni disclosed that : “There are vast opportunities that can be harnessed for research and development: Researchers/Universities need not to continue working in “Silos”. Generation of Innovative technologies requires critical knowledge production, diffusion and sustenance”.
Speaking at the end of the lecture, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Abayomi Sunday Fasina disclosed that he has been able to use his research leave abroad to bring several opportunities on research grants to some members of the academic staff. He described Prof. Sanni’s lecture as an enlightenment to the lecturers of the university who were fortunate to participate and promised to continue to sponsor such programmes geared towards equipping the university staff members towards achieving the best in their careers.
Prof. Fasina also appealed to the staff members to make good use of the opportunities his administration has been providing them through skills acquisition and development programmes.
While appreciating the VC for his enormous efforts in developing the research skills of the scholars and providing vast opportunities for them to thrive, Prof. Olayide Lawal assured that the DRILP shall continue to provide more enlightening programmes for the purpose of creating global research grants’ opportunities for FUOYE scholars . He also urged all to make good use of such opportunities.
Another edition of the Webinar series, which would enlighten participants on entrepreneurship, holds on April, 30, 2024.
