University of Ibadan to Commercialise Innovation, Research Outcomes

The University of Ibadan (UI), says it is set to leverage the commercialisation of its many innovations, research products, outcomes, and knowledge for national development.

The university’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) Administration, Professor Peter Olapegba, disclosed this on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, while receiving a team from Innovate UK Business Connect during a courtesy visit.

The DVC appreciated the visiting team for coming to UI, saying the University of Ibadan is the right choice for collaboration in academic research and innovation in Nigeria, given its antecedents.

Professor Olapegba said the University of Ibadan has set up a committee to commercialise the many patents and intellectual property of experts and researchers from the many departments and faculties of the university, and also encourage partnerships with businesses and funders of research for innovations, ideas, and research outcomes.

He disclosed that the University of Ibadan, in the past 76 years, has through the comprehensive spectrum and commitment of its research leaders, professional experts and scholars, established the nexus to use the generated knowledge for the benefits of the communities in Nigeria and globally.

The DVC revealed that one of the challenges facing UI is funding, saying nevertheless, the university has been able to cultivate a culture of excellence in teaching and research, and is willing to partner with Innovate UK Business Connect on the commercialisation of its research products and collaborations, to promote more strategic, qualitative research.

The leader of the visiting team, Dr Joanna Scales, who was accompanied by Dr Pedro Carvalho, disclosed that Innovate UK is an organisation funded by the UK government to support research and innovation in the United Kingdom and internationally.

She listed the functions of Innovate UK as giving direct support to universities, development of business ideas, and commercialisation of academic findings into products and services.

Scales said Innovate UK is in the process of developing a programme: “The Climate-Smart Agricultural Partnership” with a project validity of 40 million pounds, that will involve collaboration between the UK, Brazil, Ghana and Nigeria to promote smart agricultural practices in Africa and improve food production in Nigeria and Ghana.

She stated that Innovate UK seeks to build networks, and promote opportunities in the cocoa value chain, oil palm, cassava, pests and disease management, soil fertility, agroforestry, goats production, identify challenges and opportunities, expertise, technologies, and encourage knowledge sharing between the four countries.

Dr Scales said the partnership will attract two funding competitions/applications among partners in the four countries, staff exchange, support for travels, funding for collaborative projects between universities and companies, and commercialisation of innovations.