UI launches think-tank to translate research to devt

UNIVERSITY of Ibadan Research Foundation (UI-RF) last week Thursday launched a think tank that will work towards translating research to innovations, strategies and evidence for national policies and development.

The project covers seven thematic groups of Security, Agriculture, Commerce, Health, Energy, Infrastructure and Artificial Intelligence, and is in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) and the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies – which are the thematic groups hosting institutions.

While explaining the rationale behind the project, the director, UI Research Foundation, Professor Ayoade Oduola, said that through the project, the University of Ibadan hopes to open a new chapter in knowledge economy, and engage universities, industries, research institutions and the private sector to find solutions to the problems of the society.

Professor Oduola said, “The economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) are enjoying the dividends of translating research to innovations that generate new products and novel strategies.”

He noted that the University of Ibadan alone has over 1500 scholars who publish over 700 research papers every year.

“The research endeavors of the University of Ibadan and other universities in Nigeria represent a treasure that can bring innovations to underwrite the socio-economic development of Nigeria,” he noted.

The national think tank initiative, he said, would provide a regional hub to foster global partnerships for promoting translations of research outcomes to evidence for pragmatic policies in the seven thematic groups.

The Foundation also plans to organise a symposium entitled ‘Research Continuum for National Development’ to brainstorm on issues relevant to the socioeconomic development of Nigeria, which will involve the academic community, government officials, civil society and the private sector.

The chairman of the board of the UI-Research Foundation, Rt-Hon Chevalier Uduimo Itsueli, in his brief presentation emphasized that “the greater value of new knowledge is when it is translated and applied to our daily lives.

“We believe that Nigeria and our premier university are endowed with personnel to provide evidence that can strengthen our policies and models that will guide the use of our resources.”

The think tank was later jointly launched by Dr Itsueli and the vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka.

The event was graced by the Director, Country Alignment and System Integration for IITA, Dr Kwesi Atta-Krah; the director-general, NIMR, Professor Babatunde Salako; director, Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies (IPSS), UI, Professor Olawale Albert, and the chairman, Global Banking Education Standards Board (GBESTB), Dr. Segun Aina, among other dignitaries.