Absence of regulatory platform weakens research anddevelopment –Prof Bogoro
Executive
Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Suleiman Elias
Bogoro, says very soon researchers in Nigerian tertiary institutions will have
no cause to be poor, even as he decries the low level of research in the
nation’s tertiary schools. Uji Abdullahi
Iliyasu reports how he sets to accomplish this lofty mission.
Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Professor Suleiman Elias
Bogoro, says very soon researchers in Nigerian tertiary institutions will have
no cause to be poor, even as he decries the low level of research in the
nation’s tertiary schools. Uji Abdullahi
Iliyasu reports how he sets to accomplish this lofty mission.
Background
Last
week, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the visionary leadership of
Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro inaugurated an ad-hoc committee comprising of
highly intellectual Nigerians who are making waves in their chosen fields in
the Diaspora and their home counterparts to revitalise research in the nation’s
higher institutions of learning as one of the cure mandates of TETFund.
week, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) under the visionary leadership of
Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro inaugurated an ad-hoc committee comprising of
highly intellectual Nigerians who are making waves in their chosen fields in
the Diaspora and their home counterparts to revitalise research in the nation’s
higher institutions of learning as one of the cure mandates of TETFund.
The
Executive Secretary, during the inauguration, stated that the key measurement
parameters for Nigerian Economic Recovery and
Growth Plan (ERGP), the anchor for Nigeria’s economic transformation
blueprint, is dependent on Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), meaning
that the advancement in SET is dependent on research and development.
Executive Secretary, during the inauguration, stated that the key measurement
parameters for Nigerian Economic Recovery and
Growth Plan (ERGP), the anchor for Nigeria’s economic transformation
blueprint, is dependent on Science, Engineering and Technology (SET), meaning
that the advancement in SET is dependent on research and development.
Bogoro
said innovative research and its consequent commercialisation is the driver
that moves and nurtures the engine of modern economic growth, thus it is an
important driver of poverty alleviation.
said innovative research and its consequent commercialisation is the driver
that moves and nurtures the engine of modern economic growth, thus it is an
important driver of poverty alleviation.
“Innovative
research and its consequent commercialisation is the driver that moves and
nurtures the engine of modern economic growth, thus it is an important driver
of poverty alleviation.
research and its consequent commercialisation is the driver that moves and
nurtures the engine of modern economic growth, thus it is an important driver
of poverty alleviation.
“There
is ample evidence to show that research and development propelled by higher
education, more than anything else, has contributed to the rise and expansion
of the world knowledge economy,” Bogoro said.
is ample evidence to show that research and development propelled by higher
education, more than anything else, has contributed to the rise and expansion
of the world knowledge economy,” Bogoro said.
Commercialisation of Research and development
He
further said that the power of commercialisation of research and development
results has been recognised by both developed and developing economies and that
the nature and demand of modern economy is the fundament stimulus for the
university-industry relationships, and stressed that investment in research and
development as well as human capital development is key to economic advancement
of any nation.
further said that the power of commercialisation of research and development
results has been recognised by both developed and developing economies and that
the nature and demand of modern economy is the fundament stimulus for the
university-industry relationships, and stressed that investment in research and
development as well as human capital development is key to economic advancement
of any nation.
In
developed countries, he said, industries
look up to universities as potential innovators in the development and
commercialisation of products, which results in funding the cash starved
universities and university researchers having access to most modern technology
and management systems in industries.
developed countries, he said, industries
look up to universities as potential innovators in the development and
commercialisation of products, which results in funding the cash starved
universities and university researchers having access to most modern technology
and management systems in industries.
He
noted that higher education institutions are globally positioned to be the
bridge between the productive society and knowledge growth.
noted that higher education institutions are globally positioned to be the
bridge between the productive society and knowledge growth.
Nigeria’s low research level
The
TETFund boss is worried that the level of research in Nigeria is remarkably
low.
TETFund boss is worried that the level of research in Nigeria is remarkably
low.
“In
spite of the fact that the role of research and development in national
development, including leveraging the quality of research and academic
programmes is well known, the level of research and development infrastructure
and productivity in Nigeria remains unacceptably low, at 0.02%.”
spite of the fact that the role of research and development in national
development, including leveraging the quality of research and academic
programmes is well known, the level of research and development infrastructure
and productivity in Nigeria remains unacceptably low, at 0.02%.”
He
averred that in spite of the fact that research and development is central to a
country’s development, in Nigeria, there is absence of a national platform for
the regulation and strengthening of research and development.
averred that in spite of the fact that research and development is central to a
country’s development, in Nigeria, there is absence of a national platform for
the regulation and strengthening of research and development.
“It
is in this vein that TETFund, propelled by my vision, continues to advocate the
establishment by law, of a national Research and Development Foundation that
will ensure a coordinated national framework for the sustenance and
implementation of researches. “Such a foundation, when established, shall
promote an effective interface among universities, government and private
sector, especially the industrial subsector of the economy.
is in this vein that TETFund, propelled by my vision, continues to advocate the
establishment by law, of a national Research and Development Foundation that
will ensure a coordinated national framework for the sustenance and
implementation of researches. “Such a foundation, when established, shall
promote an effective interface among universities, government and private
sector, especially the industrial subsector of the economy.
“Since
2004, when I was appointed the Executive Secretary of TETFund, I was and still am,
committed to lead TETFund in this vision by sensitising the whole country
towards the need to strengthen research and development in Nigerian tertiary
institutions.
2004, when I was appointed the Executive Secretary of TETFund, I was and still am,
committed to lead TETFund in this vision by sensitising the whole country
towards the need to strengthen research and development in Nigerian tertiary
institutions.
“The
passion is evidenced by the numerous papers I have presented across the
country.”
passion is evidenced by the numerous papers I have presented across the
country.”
Bogoro
said that in his several submissions, he
had emphasised the inadequacy of incentives for research and development and
innovations in tertiary institutions in the country.
said that in his several submissions, he
had emphasised the inadequacy of incentives for research and development and
innovations in tertiary institutions in the country.
TETFund mandate
It
is worthy of note that TETFund’s mandate include ensuring physical
infrastructure for teaching and learning, procuring instructional material and
equipment, research and publication, academic staff training and development.
Bogoro therefore, said for long, they had been paying attention to physical
infrastructure but now was time for innovative researches to make the physical
structures meaningful.
is worthy of note that TETFund’s mandate include ensuring physical
infrastructure for teaching and learning, procuring instructional material and
equipment, research and publication, academic staff training and development.
Bogoro therefore, said for long, they had been paying attention to physical
infrastructure but now was time for innovative researches to make the physical
structures meaningful.
He
thus charged the committee members to provide strategic leadership that will
lead to smooth implementation of TETFund Reasearch and Development mandate
among staff by creating awareness and ensuring paradigm shift in the Fund.
thus charged the committee members to provide strategic leadership that will
lead to smooth implementation of TETFund Reasearch and Development mandate
among staff by creating awareness and ensuring paradigm shift in the Fund.
Committee members
The
Research and development ad-hoc committee has Professor Placid Njoku, an
erudite scholar and one of Africa’s most prominent intellectual and academics who
is also the current president of
Nigerian Institute of Animal Science as
chairman; Professor Ibrahim Katampe, a professor of Chemistry and
director for Innovative and Technology Incubation in the Center for Excellence in
Emerging Technologies (CEET), Central State University, USA, as vice chairman, and Mr Temitope Toogun,
head of human capital commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group
(NESG) as member.
Research and development ad-hoc committee has Professor Placid Njoku, an
erudite scholar and one of Africa’s most prominent intellectual and academics who
is also the current president of
Nigerian Institute of Animal Science as
chairman; Professor Ibrahim Katampe, a professor of Chemistry and
director for Innovative and Technology Incubation in the Center for Excellence in
Emerging Technologies (CEET), Central State University, USA, as vice chairman, and Mr Temitope Toogun,
head of human capital commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group
(NESG) as member.
All
three have promised to take TETFund Research and Development assignment with all seriousness for the good
of Nigeria.
three have promised to take TETFund Research and Development assignment with all seriousness for the good
of Nigeria.
Some
prominent TETFund officers also serve on the committee as members. They include
Director of Public Affairs, Jacob Alada; Alh. Idris A.O. Saidu; Barr. Ukim
Ifiok, Joseph U. Udo and others.
prominent TETFund officers also serve on the committee as members. They include
Director of Public Affairs, Jacob Alada; Alh. Idris A.O. Saidu; Barr. Ukim
Ifiok, Joseph U. Udo and others.
Productive society and knowledge growth
Higher
education institutions world over, are positioned to be the bridge between a
productive society and knowledge growth.
There has been a strong collaborative partnership among higher education
institutions, government and the industry, otherwise referred to as “Triple
Helix Model”, the confluence of which is a powerful one that drives the economy
of nations.
education institutions world over, are positioned to be the bridge between a
productive society and knowledge growth.
There has been a strong collaborative partnership among higher education
institutions, government and the industry, otherwise referred to as “Triple
Helix Model”, the confluence of which is a powerful one that drives the economy
of nations.
With
the needed global economy and the need for rapid advancement to alleviate
socio-economic issues, there is need for national recalibration and
re-sensitisation towards sustainable innovative research and development operations.
the needed global economy and the need for rapid advancement to alleviate
socio-economic issues, there is need for national recalibration and
re-sensitisation towards sustainable innovative research and development operations.
Interface
between universities and private sectors
between universities and private sectors
In spite of the fact that the role of
research and development in national development, including leveraging the
quality of research and academic programmes is well known, the level of
research and development infrastructure and productivity in Nigeria (0.02%)
remains unacceptably low. With the accelerated growth of new global economy and
the urgent focus on the socio-economic imperatives, there is need for national
recalibration and re-sensitisation of operations and policies targeting at a
sustainable innovative research and development operations.
research and development in national development, including leveraging the
quality of research and academic programmes is well known, the level of
research and development infrastructure and productivity in Nigeria (0.02%)
remains unacceptably low. With the accelerated growth of new global economy and
the urgent focus on the socio-economic imperatives, there is need for national
recalibration and re-sensitisation of operations and policies targeting at a
sustainable innovative research and development operations.
There are numerous national policies
related to university industry partnerships in the country and the role for the
university in the society, including the contribution to national development.
Nothing clearly depicts the weakness in driving the research and development in
Nigeria as the absence of national platform for its regulation and
strengthening.
related to university industry partnerships in the country and the role for the
university in the society, including the contribution to national development.
Nothing clearly depicts the weakness in driving the research and development in
Nigeria as the absence of national platform for its regulation and
strengthening.
“It is in this vein that TETFund,
propelled by my vision, continues to advocate the establishment by law, of a
national R&D Foundation that will ensure coordinated national framework for
the sustenance and promotion of R&D.
propelled by my vision, continues to advocate the establishment by law, of a
national R&D Foundation that will ensure coordinated national framework for
the sustenance and promotion of R&D.
“Such a foundation, when established,
shall promote an effective interface between universities, government and
private sector, especially the industrial subsector of the economy.
shall promote an effective interface between universities, government and
private sector, especially the industrial subsector of the economy.
“Since 2004, when I was appointed the
Executive Secretary of TETFund, I was and still am, committed to lead TETFund
in this vision by sensitising the whole country towards the need to strengthen
R&D in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, I was and still am, committed to lead TETFund
in this vision by sensitising the whole country towards the need to strengthen
R&D in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
“This passion is evidenced by the
numerous papers I have presented across the country.”
numerous papers I have presented across the country.”
The need for ad-hoc committee
The
issue of institutional capacity is necessary to implement university-industry
partnerships. There seems to be recognition not only from the higher education
sector but also from the private sector as well that the initiative for
partnership should come from university. Researchers at the university are
advancing the frontiers of knowledge in diversified areas of emerging
technologies.
issue of institutional capacity is necessary to implement university-industry
partnerships. There seems to be recognition not only from the higher education
sector but also from the private sector as well that the initiative for
partnership should come from university. Researchers at the university are
advancing the frontiers of knowledge in diversified areas of emerging
technologies.
Cognisant
of the enormity of the responsibility of the department of Research and
Development/Centres of Excellence (R&D/CE) and the reorientation of the
psyche of the staff in the department and indeed of the generality of TETFund,
it is imperative that a formal sensitisation and recalibration activities be
structured fir the staff of the department as well as a good number of the
staff of the Fund who may be assignable, at a future date, to the department or
other staff who may associate with the department in the conduct of their own
assignment.
of the enormity of the responsibility of the department of Research and
Development/Centres of Excellence (R&D/CE) and the reorientation of the
psyche of the staff in the department and indeed of the generality of TETFund,
it is imperative that a formal sensitisation and recalibration activities be
structured fir the staff of the department as well as a good number of the
staff of the Fund who may be assignable, at a future date, to the department or
other staff who may associate with the department in the conduct of their own
assignment.
Paradigm shift
It is of critical importance therefore, for
TETFund to set up a mechanism and machinery that will facilitate systematic and
scheduled internalisation of Research and Development paradigm shift. This will
lead to the development of institutions into veritable hubs for experimentation
and incubation of scientific and technological innovations urgently needed for
national development and competitiveness. It is with this in mind that the ad
hoc committee was inaugurated with the mandate to provide strategic leadership
internally to the process of implementing TETFund Research and Development
mandate among the staff of the Fund by creating awareness and sensitisation of
R&D and innovation paradigm shift in the Fund, thus, developing
administrative and technical capacity building framework for not only the
TETFund R&D department but all staff capabilities.
TETFund to set up a mechanism and machinery that will facilitate systematic and
scheduled internalisation of Research and Development paradigm shift. This will
lead to the development of institutions into veritable hubs for experimentation
and incubation of scientific and technological innovations urgently needed for
national development and competitiveness. It is with this in mind that the ad
hoc committee was inaugurated with the mandate to provide strategic leadership
internally to the process of implementing TETFund Research and Development
mandate among the staff of the Fund by creating awareness and sensitisation of
R&D and innovation paradigm shift in the Fund, thus, developing
administrative and technical capacity building framework for not only the
TETFund R&D department but all staff capabilities.