The Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), has endowed a professional chair to the University of Ibadan for its excellence in translational research.
The endowed professorial chair is in the fields of engineering, computer science, ICT and the social sciences, targeted at deepening knowledge and producing inventions and innovations that would advance the telecommunications industry.
The development was conveyed in a release issued by the University’s Director of Public Communication, Mr Olatunji Oladejo.
According to Oladejo, the Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, communicated the NCC decision to the Institution in a letter dated 3 December, 2020, with reference number NCC/RC/UI/020, which was addressed to the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Babatunde Ekanola.
Danbatta, in the letter, said the endowed amount is to the tune of N20milion, with the completion period of two years, with effect from the date of signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The NCC boss said the award is in accordance with the established Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and is made contingent on the University fulfilling certain conditions.
The conditions, he stated, are that the Institution must submit a formal letter of acceptance to the Commission within five days of receipt of the letter, discuss and agree to research questions.
The letter reads, “Note that this endowment is fixed, firm and non-transferable, thus deemed duly terminated by effluxion of time unless otherwise formally reviewed by the Commission; Liaise with the Commission’s Secretary for the execution of the formal MoU; and proceed with the implementation upon signing of the MoU.”
Prof. Danbatta, in the letter, explained that upon agreeing on the research questions, the Commission would pay the sum to the University for a trustee to manage, while also congratulating the University on the endowment.
