POGSASS holds maiden international confab
By Mustafa Abubakar
The Postgraduate Students’ Association (POGSASS) of the University of Ilorin has hosted its maiden international conference, which attracted seasoned academics, researchers, postgraduate students, industry professionals, and other stakeholders to explore the role of research in advancing innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
The Conference, themed “Advancing Innovation and Entrepreneurship through Research for Sustainable Development,” held last Monday( July 6, 2026), featured pre-conference workshops, an opening ceremony, a keynote address, a panel discussion, and plenary paper presentation sessions designed to stimulate scholarly engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Declaring the Conference open, the Director of the Computer-Based Test Centre, University of Ilorin, Prof. Adeyinka Tella, urged researchers to embrace innovation, ethical scholarship, and entrepreneurial thinking in addressing contemporary societal challenges. He stressed the need for research to move beyond theoretical contributions by providing practical solutions capable of driving national and global development.
Participants also took part in practical workshop sessions on the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence in research, the development of grant-winning research proposals, and other emerging issues shaping contemporary scholarship.
A major highlight of the Conference was a panel discussion featuring Prof. Nafisat Adedokun-Shittu and Prof. Khadijat Adenola Yahaya of the University of Ilorin, alongside Dr Fasilat Rafiu of Kwara State University, Malete.
The panelists examined issues relating to research, innovation, entrepreneurship, research funding opportunities, and strategies for translating research outcomes into practical solutions for sustainable development.
They encouraged postgraduate researchers to pursue impactful and solution-driven studies capable of addressing societal challenges while strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and policymakers.
The conference also featured a plenary paper presentation session chaired by Dr Kehinde O. Affinih, with Mrs Ogunlade Oluwabunmi Racheal serving as Rapporteur.
The session provided postgraduate students and researchers with an opportunity to present their research findings, receive constructive feedback from senior scholars, and engage in interdisciplinary academic discussions.
Speaking earlier, the President of POGSASS, Mr Hakeem Abiodun Kuranga, described the Conference as a landmark achievement in the history of the Association.
He said the event marked the beginning of a new tradition of academic excellence and expressed appreciation to participants, facilitators, and partners for contributing to its success.
According to Mr Kuranga, the Association remains committed to promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of sustainable development while creating platforms that encourage scholarly excellence among postgraduate students.
The Conference further underscored the commitment of the University to academic excellence, impactful research, innovation, and meaningful engagement with society.
