NUC commits to supporting quality research in varsities
NUC commits to supporting quality research in varsities
The National Universities Commission (NUC), has reiterated its commitment to supporting quality research in universities to ensure academic inquiries align with national priorities.
Its Executive Secretary, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, said this at the dissemination seminar on”2020 TETFUND Project on Interfaith Dialogue as a Tool to Promote National Integration”, held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Ribadu, represented by the acting Director, Directorate of students, Ms Rita Okonjo, said in the context of Nigeria’s diversity research on interfaith dialogue was both timely and crucial.
He added that research on interfaith had the potential to foster mutual understanding, peace and national unity.
Ribadu said that, NUC as the regulatory body for Nigerian universities, strongly supports research endeavours that contribute to national development, social cohesion and economic prosperity.
” Interfaith dialogue is a powerful instrument for strengthening the fabric of our society.
” As a country blessed with cultural and religious diversity, we must continuously engage in meaningful conversations that built bridges of understanding amongst different religious groups.
” The findings from this research will no doubt provide valuable insights and recommendations that can be leveraged by policymakers, religious leaders and stakeholders in fostering national integration.”
Earlier, Prof. Afis Oladosu, Lead Investigator of Project 2020 ,sponsored by TETFUND, said that the project was conceived essentially to intervene in the Nigeria’s search for integration.
Oladosu, who said that the project achieved its basic goal, revealed that no fewer than 2,000 undergraduates were actively involved in the project.
” We also developed a prototype curriculum that resulted even from the interventions that those students offered.
” The students were the ones that said that Nigerian university system needs a curriculum for undergraduates that will take them through the basics of both Islam and Christianity.
” Saying that doesn’t mean that we do not recognize the existence of other religion, no, our concern happens to be for Islam and Christianity,” he said
He further said that the project was meant to find ways by which Nigerian youths, practise Christianity and Islam, would be made to appreciate the fundamental values of the two religions.
” This will enable them to appreciate one another and respect the values in difference.
Read Also: Accident claims 10 lives, injures 3 on Damaturu-Maiduguri road
” And begin to appreciate that the Almighty who has made it possible for you and me to express and identify with different religions as not and cannot or couldn’t have made a mistake.
Oladosu, who is a lecturer at the Department of Arabic and Islamic Studies, University of Ibadan, said the project was implemented in six universities across the six geopolitical zones.
According to him, the research team comprised Muslims and Christians, experts in christology and islamology from the south south, south east, south west, north central, North east and north west.
Also, Prof. Rafat Abdulhamid, said the project was designed to foster peaceful coexistence among students and address underlying causes of religious conflicts on campus.
“The unity we seek should begin from the university and extend beyond, as we interact in various spheres of life.
“We must ensure that everyone practises their religion without feeling threatened or forced to compromise their beliefs.”
