Align your studies with SDGs objectives, Egbewole tells UNILORIN researchers
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has urged researchers in the institution to tailor their studies towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) objectives.
While recognising the potential of SDG-focused research to solve real-world issues, Prof. Egbewole also stated that aligning studies with these goals increases the likelihood of securing grants, as donors prioritise initiatives with tangible societal benefits.
The Vice Chancellor, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali, gave this admonition at a meeting with the various research groups in the University, which include the Research Managers, Winners of the Senate Research Grants as well as the Winners of the 2024 TETfund NRF intervention. The meeting took place at the Auditorium Basement penultimate Friday (January 19, 2024).
To fortify the research landscape, Prof. Egbewole said that his administration has revived the Senate Research Grants and Special Senate Research Grants, adding that the initiatives are aimed at enhancing researchers’ capabilities and elevate the overall quality of their outputs and aligning with the University’s commitment to academic excellence.
For the year 2023, the Vice Chancellor explained that N50,000,000,00 was allocated for Senate Research Grants and another N50,000,000:00 for the Special Senate Research Grant.
Looking ahead to 2024, Prof. Egbewole noted that the administration has earmarked another N100,000,000,00 for both categories, reflecting a substantial commitment to advancing research endeavors.
The Vice Chancellor, however, implored Faculties to expedite the application process to access the Senate Research Grants for the year 2023 so that qualified researchers can access the 2024 allocation.
In a bid to support aspiring grant winners, Prof. Egbewole also said that the administration seeks to provide more mentorship opportunities by engaging the services of individuals that are well-versed in grantsmanship to train, guide and mentor younger researchers.
In a remark, the Ag. Director, Centre for Research Development and In-House Training (CREDIT) at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Abdulkarim Oloyede, said that the meeting was aimed at facilitating brainstorming on the way forward and assess the current status of research management within the institution.
Dr Oloyede said that the rationale in assembling recipients of the 2024 National Research Fund (NRF), Research Managers, and winners of the Senate Research Grants was to foster collaboration and create mega research groups cutting across all Faculties, and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework.
The astute scholar of Computing and Information Science said that the intent to create the mega research group was to replicate successful models from other institutions, while leveraging on the SDGs as a focal point, given that many research funders prioritise initiatives aligned with these goals.
Explaining the benefits of this mega research group for the University of Ilorin, the Ag. Director of CREDIT stressed the importance of research in enhancing the institution’s visibility, ranking, and overall standing. He noted the connection between research excellence and institutional recognition, adding that rankings significantly impact a university’s reputation.
While providing insights into the two types of TETFund research grants that are available for researchers, that is, the Institutional Based Research (IBR) and National Research Fund (NRF), the CREDIT boss said that the University of Ilorin has recorded notable successes in securing these grants. He said seven people won grants with amounts ranging from N18 million to N38 million in 2023 alone.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by the University in accessing funds for specific years, Dr Oloyede pointed out the potential in the IBR account, which currently holds over N200,000,000,00.
Dr Oloyede urged researchers to actively participate in grant applications, leveraging the available resources to contribute to the University’s research excellence and overall growth.