Research is Key to National Development – Deputy Vice-Chancellor

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC), Administration, of the University of Ibadan in Oyo State, Professor Peter Olapegba, has said research is key to national development, charging researchers to engage in Studies that brings innovation.

Prof. Olapegba noted that for a country to grow, the research capacity must be developed through the coming together of scholars from different tertiary institutions to proffer solutions to local and national problems.

The DVC spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, while receiving the members of the University of Ibadan Research and Development (UI RESDEV) Fair Committee during a courtesy visit.

He commended the members of the committee, who are representatives of the university faculties, for the huge sacrifice and for working assiduously towards achieving the mandate of the committee.

Olapegba encouraged the UI RESDEV Committee to engage the media and make use of blogs to showcase the services and research outcomes of the university, while inviting companies and industries to the research and development fair to attract sponsorship and benefactions to the university.

He requested that the prizes attached to awards of excellence should be more attractive in order to encourage faculties to put more effort into research activities.

The Chairman of the University of Ibadan Research and Development Fair Committee, Professor Fadoju, expressed appreciation to the university management for the support and opportunity to serve the university.

Prof. Fadoju stated that the mandate of the committee was to promote research activities and showcase the efforts of the university to bridge the gap between the town and gown.

The Chairman said some faculties performed excellently at the 2023 UI RESDEV Fair, and the committee presented them awards of excellence with cash prizes of N250,000 (1st position), N200,000 (2nd position) and N150,000 (3rd position) attached.

He gave the faculties that received awards and the cash awards to include: Institute of African Studies -1st position, Multidisciplinary Studies – 2nd position and UI School of Business – 3rd position, for the Arts and Humanities Category.

The list of winners for the Science Category, according to Prof. Fadoju, include: Faculty of Environmental Design and Management – 1st position, Faculty of Technology – 2nd position and Faculty of Science – 3rd position.

Prof. Fadoju reaffirmed the commitment of the committee to promoting the university in advancing knowledge through rigorous research and addressing global challenges through education-driven solutions.

The UI RESDEV Fair is held annually in collaboration with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, and the committee is seeking further collaboration with TETFUND.

The theme of the 2024 UI RESDEV and DAWN Commission Fair is: “Re-Focusing Research and Innovation Towards Scaling-Up Nigerian Brands for Commercial Value.”