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DONS HARP ON NEED DRIVEN RESEARCH AT FUTA POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL'S FIRST COLLOQUIUM


DONS HARP ON NEED DRIVEN RESEARCH AT FUTA POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL'S FIRST COLLOQUIUM
 
Nigerian Universities and Research Institutes will only contribute better to national development when they step up need driven research that addresses societal issues of food insecurity, security challenges, poverty, natural resource degradation and logging economic development which affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people in the developing world. This position was canvassed at the First Colloquium of the School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS), Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) held on Wednesday 15th May, 2019.  Speaking on Modern Trends in Postgraduate Programme, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka said Researchers must demonstrate a willingness and ability to learn and acquire knowledge while having an understanding of relevant research techniques and their appropriate application. He said breakthrough in research that solve societal problems will take place if Researchers develop the ability to recognize and validate problems, have a knowledge of recent advances within their fields and related areas and justify their research to the funding bodies while promoting the public understanding the same.
Speaking on the challenges of Postgraduate Training Research and Innovation in the Nigerian University System, former Dean, SPGS, Covenant University, Otta, Professor Samuel Wara stated that the objectives of Postgraduate Education is to develop a spirit of enquiry amongst Graduate Students in the areas of research, intellectual independence and team work. He stressed the importance of collaboration in research according to him; it enables Researchers address issues of local, national and global significance.  He said Postgraduate Students can leverage on various available resources such as Library Resources, ICT Resources, Laboratory Resources, Human Resources, Mentors and Partnerships and collaborations to develop theoretical concepts for value added research findings.
On his part, the Director, Centre for Research and Development (CERAD), FUTA, Professor Ganiyu Oboh, speaking on New Frontiers in Research pointed out that research in Universities is mainly conceived in terms of Publications and Career Development and tends to have little social relevance. He said Nigeria as a country has not developed revolutionary products and processes despite claims of inventions and breakthroughs.  Oboh stated that demand driven research is the new comfort zone advocating that research findings must evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention while solving a problem.
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Fuwape commended the Dean, SPGS for putting together the Colloquium which afforded Stakeholders the opportunity to discuss extensively on the administration of Postgraduate programmes. The Dean, SPGS, Professor Chinwuba  Arum said the colloquium  proffered solutions to various challenges facing Postgraduate Studies in Nigerian Universities and stipulated new benchmark for breaking  new grounds in research. He also unveiled the new slogan of the school which is; “FUTA SPGS-Crest of Service and Excellence”. He said the slogan was part of efforts to reposition the school for global relevance and excellence in service delivery.