Lack of research centres at the Nigerian universities have been described as the major obstacle against the speedy and progress in modern teaching and learning boasting the socio economic growth in the country.
The former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed made the observation while delivering his goodwill message during the ten year anniversary of the Directorate of Research Innovation and Partnership DRIP as well as to mark the commemoration of World Intellectual Property Day and World Day for Safety and Health at Work held at Bayero university Kano BUK new site.
According to him, the first set of graduands in 60s up to 70s, as well as 80s, the culture of the studies is just to fill the existing vacancies created by the departed of colonial rulers in the country.
He revealed that in 1960, the country has few universities with include university of Nsukka, University of Ibadan and two more varsities, from 1970 more Universities were established namely: Jos., ABU, Port- Harcourt, Benin, BUK, and Enugu but still the government concentrate on manpower to fill created vacancy.
He added that the Nigerian authority was then concerned on producing manpower in the civil service and other areas not for research purposed.
Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed further hinted that before 2010, BUK has only research centres, but establishment of Directorate of Research Innovation and Partnership DRIP, the university has expanded it’s research mechanism towards overall development of teaching and learning in the institution.
While commending the previous leadership of the DRIP for their commitment and zeal, he urged the university management to continue to give directorate maximum support and cooperation towards achieve the desired objectives.
However, he described research nowadays as an avenue where many countries defend on it in improving it socio economic growth .
In his remarks, the university’s vice chancellor, Professor Sagir Adamu Abbas represented by the deputy vice chancellor Academic, Professor Haruna Musa said the centre has played a significant role in various aspects of research development, pledging that the university management will continue to support it with a view to actualize the set target.
“Today is celebration of vision, resilient and commitment about 11 years ago in February 2014, under the forward thinking leadership my predecessor, Professor Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, the directorate was established to drive BUK’s research agenda into a new era. With a dream to make BUK a credible hub of high-impact research and innovations, DRIP was set up to define research focus areas, support research activities, foster partnership to manage funding and protect intellectual property, ” he explained.
He commended the centre leadership for their commitment and dedication in making the centre one of the best research in the university community.
Earlier, the director of the directorate of Research Innovation and Partnership DRIP, Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Rufa’i said that centre has recorded a tremendous achievements interm of research and create new innovation aimed at improving the socio economic development in the university and the country at large.
Highlights of the event include presentation of various topics, presentation of an award to the deserving staff and individuals who contributed to the development of the centre at the occasion.
