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From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
Federal and state universities in Ebonyi State have joined forces under the National Research Fund (NRF) initiative to enhance educational development and strengthen academic research and innovation.
The collaboration, which brings together scholars from David Umahi University of Medical Sciences (DUFUHS), Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), and Ebonyi State University (EBSU) aims to foster joint research projects, promote capacity building, and improve quality of teaching and learning in the higher institutions.
Others are the University of Information and Communication Technology, Oferekpe (UICTO); and the University of Aeronautics and Aerospace Engineering, Ezza (EAUAE).
Speaking at a weekend at a one-day summit titled “Inter-University Collaboration, Access to National Research Fund of TETFund, and Moving Research to Policy in Nigeria” in Abakaliki, the state capital, Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS, Prof Jesse Uneke, described the partnership as a “milestone in bridging the gap between theory and practice.”
He emphasised that the initiative would provide researchers with access to funding, modern equipment, and technical support to conduct groundbreaking studies in areas such as agriculture, health, renewable energy, and information technology.
Uneke further emphasised that the initiative marked the beginning of a coordinated effort to harness the collective strengths of the institutions for impactful research and policy development.
“This summit is about building bridges. It’s about helping one another grow. No university can thrive in isolation.
“By working together, we can access research funding that individual efforts cannot secure, and we can generate evidence that directly informs policy,” he said.
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He further announced that the summit would become an annual event, aimed at strengthening academic partnerships and promoting sustainable research development in the state.
He also disclosed plans to extend participation to private universities in subsequent editions, emphasising that “something like this can work, and it is good for our educational system.”
In his lecture, Prof Akaneren Essien, former Vice-Chancellor, University of Uyo, praised the NRF for its commitment to advancing education through collaboration rather than competition.
“This partnership allows our universities to share resources, develop joint proposals, and produce research that directly impacts Ebonyi’s economic and social growth,” he said.
He noted that the partnerships encourage educational advancement by enhancing research, innovation, and capacity building.
“It promotes knowledge and idea sharing; facilitate the design of academic programmes, and strengthen institutional linkages,” Essien said.
He further urged research teams to focus on projects aligned with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), noting that issues such as renewable energy, water management, and climate change should be prioritised.
In their goodwill messages, Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Prof Michael Awoke, his counterparts of University of Science and Technology Oferekpe, Prof Ernest Egba, and that of the Aeronautics and Aerospace University (EAUAE), Prof Patrick Enyi, described the summit as timely, impactful, and intellectually enriching, stressing that it has opened new frontiers for collaboration among higher institutions in Ebonyi State.
