Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), University of Ibadan (UI), Prof. Peter Olapegba, has announced plans by the institution to commercialise its many innovations, research products, outcomes, and knowledge for national development.
Olapegba, who disclosed this while receiving a team from Innovative United Kingdom Business Connect on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said the institution has set up a committee to commercialise the many patents and intellectual properties of experts and researchers from the various departments and faculties.
He disclosed that the institution, in the last 76 years, had through the comprehensive spectrum and commitment of its research leaders, established the nexus to use the generated knowledge for the benefits of communities in Nigeria and globally.
Despite experiencing funding issues, Olapegba said the institution has been able to cultivate a culture of excellence in teaching and research. He expressed the university’s readiness to partner with Innovate UK on the commercialisation of its research products and collaborations to promote qualitative research.
The leader of the visiting team, Dr Joanna Scales, who was accompanied by Dr Pedro Carvalho, described the firm as an organisation funded by the UK government to support research and innovation.
She listed the functions of Innovate UK to include giving direct support to universities, developing business ideas, and commercialising academic findings into products and services.
Scales disclosed that the organisation is in the process of developing a programme called: ‘The climate-smart agricultural partnership,’ which would involve collaboration between the UK, Brazil, Ghana, and Nigeria with the aim of promoting smart agricultural practices in Africa.
Scales noted that the partnership will attract two funding competitions among partners in the four countries: staff exchange, support for travel, funding for collaborative projects between universities and companies, and commercialisation of innovations.
