Commonwealth varsities task scholars on research, national development

Association of Commonwealth Universities ( ACU) has urged seasoned scholars  to support emerging career researchers in a bid to  enhance the nation’s development.

The association’s Project Officer, Sofia Apollonov who made the plea at a two-day workshop organized by ACU in collaboration with the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

According to her, experienced scholars  must play active role in the development of the emerging career researchers by way of improving their skill and capacity to boost national development.

Apollonov acknowledged that Nigeria is doing well in the area of research adding that the country’s universities had over the years been  at the forefront of Africa’s research efforts.

This, according to her informed the continuous visit of the association to the country and its resolve to support  emerging researchers. She said: “As a multi-disciplinary area of research, we need scientists, social scientists and researchers who will be focused on how we can tackle it, and this is where our Circle Visiting Fellows (CVF) that forms the basis of this workshop comes in  handy.

“We have seven Nigerian CVF team who  are  researching  on how to combat climate change. Many of our CVFs have undergone fellowship programmes across Africa in climate change researches and what they are producing is really important not just to Africa but the world at large.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Research, UNILAG, Prof. Oluwatoyin  explained that the initiative was necessary to move the nation forward.

He disclosed  that the workshop woas to provide a platform for young researchers in the region  to engage in research that is “need -driven” in order to help their respective countries move forward.

“This is a programme that has attracted researchers from within and outside Nigeria  and narrowing it down to Nigeria, I make bold to say that there are lots of researches going on in our institutions, including UNILAG..

“In order to also complement the research efforts, the Lagos State government has just set up a research and Innovation council and this is the only thing that can truly bring our country out of its current multifaceted challenges.

An example is that of the recent flood that was experienced in some parts of the state and now we are bringing together experts that would rub minds and come up with a permanent solution to this,’’ Ogundipe said.

He stated  that the institution was currently repositioning to a university of need-oriented research work in order to accelerate transformation and national development.

The DVC  said the only way the nation could move forward was through intensive research, innovation, incubation and development.

Chairman, local organising committee of the workshop, Dr Musa Obalola while giving an overview of the programme, said, “Our responsibility is not limited to just teaching and learning, but also research and community development, so we need to ensure that skills are sharpened to enhance research that will improve the lots of the common man.