Gever, UNN lecturer, secures N5m grant for publication
By Victory Milton
The highest ranked Nigerian communication scholar by Scopus-Indexed, Dr. Gever Verlumu of Mass Communication Department, University of Nigeria Nuskka (UNN), has won a N5 million grant from Germany.
The grant by the Center for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS), Biochum, Germany, is to support the publication of special issues for his Scopus-Indexed journal, The Iama Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Dr. Grever, who is the Editor-In-Chief of Iama Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, announced the grant during an interaction with the media. He said he has maintained the first position for the 2019-2022 and 2020-2023 ranking year of the top 500 scholars in Nigeria.
Said he: “Scival is research analytics tool from Elsevier that measures the metrics gathered from the Scopus database. It provides information on the research output of scholars and it contributes to university ranking.
“Typically, it takes into account author’s publications for the past four years. In Nigeria today, publication in journal that is indexed in Scopus is an achievement that is celebrated. It is also a requirement for promotion from one rank to another.”
According to him, the recent N12 million cash award by founder, Afe Babalola University, Ekiti State, Aare Afe Bablola, underscores the value inherent in Scopus publications.
Gever disclosed that the theme of the Special Issue in Digital Media and Research in 21st Century Society: Assessing Current Trend and Projecting the Future.
“The grant monetary value is €3,580, which covers editing, printing, archiving, promotions, and distribution.
The money will not be released to me. Instead, I will have to deliver on the publication and ask for a reimbursement.
“Research has also been significantly influenced by the powerful waves of internet-powered media. Aspects of research like data collection, literature review, data analysis and intervention delivery among others have changed over the past decades. This special issue of lama journal of interdisciplinary studies is aimed at understanding how digital media and new technologies have changed the dynamics of research, “he stated.
Gever listed specific areas of interest to include artificial intelligence and research in contemporary society, software and analysis in contemporary society, digital media and intervention delivery, digital media and data collection, digital media and research communication research finding and digital media and research integrity.
The UNN don explained that Scopus-indexed is new trend in research and is gaining ground in Nigerian universities, adding, “School are interested in having their lectures publish in Scopus-indexed.”
He continued: “There is an improvement since 2019. It was not common but now many universities are embracing it. The awareness is growing. We have been getting reactions from scholars in Nigeria and International about my journal.
Gever advised lecturers to focus on research that would impact the society and their field of study. He said his focus is to engage in researches that would improve his field and the society.
In a letter conveying the grant to Dr. Gever, the Director of CAIS College, Dr. Esther Laufer, said the special issues should be promoted at three locations in Nigeria.
Laufer said the publication must include reference to the financial support provided by CAIS and wished him success with the publication.
