The federal government has said the reason behind its approval of the maiden TETFund national research fair/exhibition lies in its potency to create jobs, generate wealth and ultimately to strengthen the economy.
The fair will be sustained as an annual national effort that will be used in sensitising Nigerians, particularly the youths and will take advantage of the outcomes to participate in economic development.
This comes on the heels of its approval of the sum of N5 billion for investment in research activities for 2024 through TETFund’s National Research Fund which is aimed at addressing national developmental challenges through targeted research efforts in public tertiary institutions.
Stating this on Monday as he declared the week-long event open in Abuja, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa said it is the recognition of the important stakes that has led to the deliberate support of the TETFund National Research Fair which has specific reference to the role of universities, polytechnics, colleges of education as well as creativities & innovations from individuals and communities.
Revealing that the fair will be sustained as an annual national effort that will be used in sensitising Nigerians, particularly youths, Alausa hinted that it will take advantage of the outcomes to participate in economic development.
He said it is research and innovation systems such as this that help in the categorisation of countries into the first, second and third world countries specifications while the research and innovation system is the cardinal factor in determining the quality of life of a people and the overall status of their nation.
According to him, “The Research Fair is specially aligned to Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on domesticating the local research results for the composite objective of creating jobs, generation of wealth and the ultimate strengthening of the economy.
“This Research Fair will focus on fostering synergy among research and technology agencies to accelerate the deployment of their efforts for nation-building.”
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echonu in his speech, said TETFund has institutionalised a process on its research support mandate by establishing a National Research Fund Screening and Monitoring Committee (NRFS & MC) composed of distinguished and senior scholars to basically screen all Research and Development Concept Notes & Proposals submitted to the fund.
He said other areas of note include to recommend those to be supported, monitor the implementation of the research projects and provide comprehensive reports to TETFund on their outcomes/impacts.
He added that the fund has also upscaled its efforts at supporting other critical research and development initiatives aimed at facilitating the uptake of various research output for the benefit of society.
According to him, “These initiatives include the Research for Impact (R4i) Programme, the TETFund Alliance for Innovative Research (TETFAIR) and the Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers (i-FAIR) programme with the ultimate objective to translate research from Nigerian Tertiary institutions to innovations, inventions and solutions for practical application and commercialisation.”
Kuni Tyessi
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