The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has attracted N15 billion in research grants over the past three and half years, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, FAS, disclosed.
He made the revelation at an interactive session with the 2021 National Research Fund (NRF) grant awardees, held on Wednesday, 29th September, 2021 at the Senate Chamber.
According to him, research remains one of the institution’s major areas of focus and is geared toward the development of the country. He touched on the many initiatives by the Research and Innovation Office to further improve research outputs.
While challenging the academics to remain resolute in their quest to improve the university’s rating globally, he stressed on the need to be relevant internationally by employing multidisciplinary approaches across diverse disciplines to promote impactful research.
On the challenge of research funding, he encouraged them to fully take advantage of many interventions that are available across the globe and are ready to aid ground- breaking research works.
As the Chairman of the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council, he admonished the researchers to take advantage of the opportunity created by the Lagos State government to drive a culture of innovation, science and technology research in Lagos and beyond.
Similarly, he disclosed that efforts are being put in place to reward great, impactful research works, as authors of such work will be announced as “Research Ambassador” during the next Convocation Ceremonies. He expressed the hope that the move will enhance competitiveness and spur academics to make significant contributions to national development.
Earlier, Director of the Research and Innovation Office (R&I), Professor Bola Oboh had told the gathering that the University of Lagos is at the forefront of building not only physical structures but a robust knowledge base for the nation. It was that which informed many of the initiatives of the Office such as the introduction of training for Research Administrators earlier in the year.
She posited that the University Management is increasingly committed to the provision of appropriate infrastructure to conduct excellent research and foster knowledge development. To that end, the R&I Office organised five (5) different research development programmes after the Management saw the need to increase the research output and visibility of UNILAG. This has resulted in a considerable rise in the percentage of academics that are opened to global opportunities.
The Deputy Vice Chancellors (Academics and Research), Prof Oluwole Familoni and (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa; Registrar, Oladejo Azeez Esq; Director, Academic Planning Unit, Prof. Mopelola Oluasakin; and Deans of Arts, Engineering, Pharmacy, and Social Sciences were among the top university officials present at the occasion.
