National Research Fund: Ebonyi universities collaborate to improve education
National Research Fund: Ebonyi universities collaborate to improve education
Federal and state universities in Ebonyi have called for stronger partnerships to enhance access to the National Research Fund of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and improve learning facilities across the state.
Speaking at a one-day summit in Abakaliki on Saturday, Prof. Jesse Uneke, Vice-Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, addressed the gathering.
Uneke said that collaboration among universities would significantly strengthen educational standards.
The Voice Media Trust (VMT NEWS) reports that the summit, organised by DUFUHS, was titled “Inter-University Collaboration, Access to National Research Fund of TETFund, and Moving Research to Policy in Nigeria.”
He explained that five public universities in the state participated, including DUFUHS, Uburu; Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki; and Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AE-FUNAI).
He added that the other participating universities were the University of Information and Communication Technology, Oferekpe (UICTO), and the University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, Ezza (EAUAE).
Uneke added that the purpose of the summit was to bring the universities together to harness their strengths for qualitative learning and innovative research.
“This is part of our mandate, and we want to use the opportunity to extend partnership to other institutions across the state.
“We started with only public universities in Ebonyi, and the goal is to establish strong and mutual relationships for better learning, shared ideas, and improved access to the National Research Fund.
“It also aim to strengthen collaboration for qualitative education and infrastructural development,” he added.
Prof Akaneren Essien, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, in his presentation, said that inter-university collaboration in Nigeria could promote sustainable development through joint research.
According to him, such partnerships encourage educational advancement by enhancing research, innovation, and capacity building.
“It promotes knowledge and idea sharing; facilitate the design of academic programmes, and strengthen institutional linkages,” Essien said.
He further urged research teams to focus on projects aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that issues such as renewable energy, water management, and climate change should be prioritised.
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Also speaking, Dr Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Research Planning and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, emphasised the need to deepen research in Nigerian universities.
He called for greater local and international cooperation in research processes, stressing that the federal government remained committed to funding viable research projects.
“Research can boost lecturers’ financial capacity instead of depending solely on salaries. But first, one must have a solid idea of what to research on,” he noted.
“Prospective researchers should align with government policies to gain better access to TETFund’s National Research Fund.
“They should also make their project plans available to the ministry and establish dedicated research centres within universities.
“For example, studies can be conducted on government facilities and agencies such as Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs),” he added.
In his response, Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi, represented by Prof. Amari Omaka, Commissioner for Tertiary Education, said that the importance of collaboration and linkages in university research and innovation could not be overemphasised.
“This collaboration serves as a peer-review mechanism in areas such as infrastructural development, programme design, university funding, staff promotion, and professorial assessment, among others,” the governor said.
He urged universities in the state to sustain the momentum and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting quality and accessible education in Ebonyi.
