To enable universities become centres of innovation, Sir David O. Sunmoni, FCA, KJW, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council at Lagos State University, has called for a review of the curriculum.
He made the announcement while making a speech during the Fifth (5th) LASU Research and Innovation Fair’s opening ceremony on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the Aderemi Makanjuola Lecture Theatre on the Main Campus in Ojo, Lagos.
According to Sir. Sunmoni, the first step in transforming colleges into engines of innovation is to update the curriculum while making sure it reflects both present conditions and anticipated future demands.
Our educational system must change from being an instrument of instruction to a hub of invention and discovery, providing students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience with problem-solving abilities.
The Pro-Chancellor also mentioned the necessity of encouraging collaborations, such as Public Private Partnership (PPP) programmes that support knowledge transfer, technology transfer, and the commercialization of research outputs.
In the words of the speaker, “by bridging the gap between academia and industry, we can ensure that our research findings are not confined to the laboratory, but are translated into practical solutions that benefit society.”
The keynote speaker for the two-day conference with the theme “Harnessing Sustainable Research Innovation in Nigerian Universities Towards National Growth and Development” was His Excellency, Dr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON, Former Executive Governor of Lagos State and Immediate Past Minister of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
In his keynote presentation, Dr Fashola praised Prof. Ibiyemi I. Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, the vice chancellor, for building on the work of her predecessor and seeing value in it.
He went on to say that LASU’s dedication to research and innovation as well as the fair’s subject this year have effectively characterised the institution’s awareness of its role in fostering national growth.
He said: “LASU is taking a very deliberate step to optimize the benefits of research and has understood that it is not just here to produce students, but it is here as an engine of growth and prosperity for Nigeria”.
The former visitor to the University added that the next big step for LASU is to move the Research and Innovation Fair forward by establishing working relationships with research institutes.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi I. Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, in her address averred that the theme of this year’s fair was chosen in recognition of the critical role that Universities can play in engendering the growth and development of Nigeria through the instrumentality of research and innovation.
The Professor of Physiology said “…at Lagos State University, our administration has, in the last few years, taken practical steps to strengthen research efforts in order to contribute meaningfully to the development of Lagos State, the smartest commercial hub of Nigeria. We have also organized at different levels, research ethics workshops to give impetus to our drive as a University known for cutting-edge research”.
Prof. Olatunji-Bello called on the industry to support the university to create solutions to the nation’s challenges by identifying peculiar areas of need and funding research in these critical sectors to meet such needs.
The Director, Directorate of Research Management and Innovation, Prof. Adejuwon Adeneye, in his remarks, stated that the LASU Research and Innovation Fair is a platform provided by the University Management through the Directorate to competitively showcase researches and innovations emanating from LASU and other tertiary institutions with the aim of solving societal needs and challenges.
Speaking further, he said “…the fair brings together inventors, innovators, investors as well as policy makers for interactions, networking and sharing of ideas while providing the platform for young talents to be discovered”.
The fair had three (3) guest speakers namely; Prof. Wellington A. Oyibo, who spoke on “Translating Research Output into Sustainable Development”; Prof. Gloria N. Elemo, who delivered a paper on “Digitalizing Research for 21st Century Challenges” and; Prof. Ganiyu Oboh, who enlightened participants on the “Role of Intellectual Property Rights in the Socio-Economic Development of Nigeria”.
The highlight of the opening ceremony was the presentation of awards of appreciation to the Keynote Speaker, His Excellency, Dr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, CON, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Lagos State University Governing Council, Sir. David O. Sunmoni, FCA, KJW, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi I. Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, Prof. Wellington A. Oyibo and Prof. Gloria N. Elemo.
On Wednesday, September 13, 2023, the conference came to a close with the awarding of certificates to participants who had made the finest papers and presentations.
Dr. Emmanuel Layi Adebayo, University Librarian, who attended the closing ceremony in place of the Vice Chancellor, also gave Prof. Ganiyu Oboh, the third guest speaker, a certificate of appreciation.
Representatives of the University Governing Council, representatives of the University Management, media outlets, participants from other tertiary institutions, staff members, and students of the University all attended the fair in large numbers.
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