The Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, says the organization will fund Centers of Excellence for innovative research in the six geopolitical zones in the country.
Bagore said two to three of such centers would be promoted with special funds allocation in each of the zones.
“This is to replicate African Centers of Excellence being prompted by international agencies in order to encourage indigenous innovative research and learning activities,” he said.
The executive secretary said this at a meeting with management and Governing Council of Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto in Sokoto.
“TETFund is vigorously focused on supporting relevant Research and Development in tertiary institutions to fast track industrial growth toward enhancing productivity and human empowerment,” Bagoro said.
He explained that the effort coincided with that of the National Universities Commission, using Triple helix concept of innovation.
According to him, the two are twin concepts that refer to a set of interactions between academia, industry and governments to foster economic and social development.
Bogoro described good academic leadership as backbone of success in all institutions, while poor leadership negatively affects all professional progression and development.
“With composition of academics in UDUS and others, Nigeria has no excuse other than to rise and lead not only Africa but the world,” he said.
According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a N5 billion National Research Fund to stimulate progress in the academia.
The executive secretary noted that emphasis would be geared towards application of academic researches that would facilitate growth in various sectors.
He said: “TETFund also provides N5 million intervention for producing journals with our scholars’ content targetted at addressing our immediate challenges.
“The past trend of low production and reliance on foreign ones is minimised and at present, more indigenous journals are visible and indexed.
“Mutual dispute between academia and industries is among the bases that forced universities not to run appropriately.
“Research on problem solving suitable to our Nigerian content and environment and growth are the best option to industrial development.
“Many Nigerian Universities are becoming stronger, competing with foreign universities in terms of quality research harvests and academic excellence.”
Bagoro added that TETFund had introduced drafting of concept notes before research proposals and out of 3,000 applications received, 415 were successful.
He said: “This is the first time in history.
“In 2018, only 1,800 applications were received and at present applicants have been communicated to provide full proposals with UDUS being among the high percentage institution.
“Intervention focus is more on innovative research to enrich content components than infrastructure development and funds may be doubled in coming years.”
Bagoro said that provision of interdisciplinary laboratory was also in the pipeline to emulate other developed nations in promoting intellectual harmony and knowledge sharing.
He noted that poor accommodation for students constituted a challenge as only 15 per cent of Nigerian students were housed, which discouraged foreign students to enrol.
According to him, TETFund is also considering high intervention in the area and commended the Federal Government’s effort to bring in the Central Bank and other options.
Bogoro pledged to look into UDUS’s requests for the construction of new senate building and more learning infrastructure to argument students’ population and academic pursuits.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawal Bilbis, appreciated the visit of Bagoro and listed the institution’s challenges, especially areas it needed urgent intervention.
Bagoro was led on an inspection of the Pharmaceutical Science Department, Urology and Nephrology Center, where he watched live surgery via video conferencing conducted by experts led by Prof. Isma’la Mungadi.
Trending
- Minister summons Lead British International School over bullying allegation
- Sex scandal : We won’t oppose any sanction against lecturer -UNN-ASUU
- Sanwo-Olu unveils EKO CARES
- UNN suspends lecturer for alleged sexual misconduct, begins probe
- Oyo LG honours Archbishop Ladigbolu, names road after late father, Akee Obayanritan
- Kogi Assembly blasts EFCC, demands removal of ‘wanted’ from Yahaya Bello’s name
- Zamfara: Passengers overpower bandits, kill one, seize two AK-47 rifles
- Aston Villa confirm new Unai Emery contract until 2027