TETFund sets up research secretariat to boost partnership with industries

IN line with the ongoing efforts to deepen the triple helix model of innovation in Nigeria, the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFund), has approved the setting up of a research secretariat for enhanced partnership between the government, private sector and academic institutions in the country.

Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, who gave this hint in Abuja, said that the initiative would foster economic and social development in a knowledge-based economy.

Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Economic Summit Gorup (NESG) led by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, the Executive Secretary said that the Research Secretariat would be domiciled in NESG.

Echono noted that the move was part of the synergy-building efforts by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and TETFund under its policy of the triple helix approach to research which is anchored on the government,  academia and industry partnership.

The TETFund boss further stated that the partnership was meant “to ensure that our institutions become more relevant to our society, national development aspiration,  the needs of industry, solving our own problems, and improving the lifestyles and standard of living of our people generally.”

He described NESG as the policy arm or coordinating group for the Nigerian private sector, stressing that the partnership with NESG is imperative to drive the concept of employability for graduates, improve curriculum delivery in institutions, make graduates of institutions more relevant to the workplace and the work opportunities of tomorrow.

“I am giving a go ahead today, that a secretariat should be operationalised because we need a structure to ensure that this happens. We cannot keep wishing, we must have a group. A lot has been going on; about four different committees were set up under the auspices of NUC.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

• Revealed! Details Of South-West APC Leaders Meeting With Presidential Aspirants
• Supreme Court Has Cleared Civil Servants To Participate In Politics, Falana Tells FG
• Battle For New Alaafin Begins As Ruling Houses Insist On Producing Next Oba
• Court Admits More Evidence Against Alleged Fake Army General, Bolarinwa
• I’m Every Man’s Choice Now, My DM Is Crazy —Eniola Badmus
• It Is Now Bye To Decency: Crazy Fashion Trends At Owambe Parties

“A couple of days ago, we met with the private sector arm of the World Bank and they are already collaborating with us  in order to assist us in the assessment and evaluation of the preparedness and readiness of our institutions to imbibe the spirit of entrepreneurship, and employability of graduates.

The TETFund boss also urged NESG to provide a work plan and specific timeline as well as the requirements, deliverables and targets to commence the implementation of the policy direction and objectives.

Earlier, the CEO of NESG, Mr Laoye Jaiyeola, recalled that talks about the partnership began in 2018, stressing that all the issues that necessitated the partnership were still germane and relevant.

While calling for the setting up of the secretariat, he said it would not only be a platform for NESG, but also for the private and public sectors and civil society organisations as well as for everyone to  be able to sit together and look at issues as they relate to the country.