University Board of Research
The University Board of Research is a statutory body of the University under the office of the Vice- Chancellor.
The University Board of Research has the mandate, among others, to coordinate and regulate research work, ensure that research fund allocated are used for the purpose it is intended; and make appropriate recommendations to Management accordingly.
MEMBERSHIP
The membership is made up of the following:
Vice-Chancellor’s nominee- Chairman
Two Senate members
Deans of Schools
Representative of Library
IN ATTENDANCE
Registrar or his Representative
Bursar or his Representative
Secretary
TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Board‘s terms of reference as contained in the University’ calendar (1999-2001, Pg 32-33) are
i. To advise Senate on;
(a) The priorities for and the co-ordination of research work.
(b) The financial need of research work, and
(c) The making of grafts from the University Research Fund
ii To constitute sub-committee to process application for University research award, and to approve application, and in accordance with procedures approved by senate.
iii To promote the development of research work by
(a) Initiating University research projects for the solution of problems not being dealt with by existing organizations.
(b) Encouraging and assisting the co-operatives development of multi-disciplinary research projects.
(c) Acting as a link with outside scholars and bodies.
(d) To advise department or members of staff on request on the probable implication of research work of the University’s external relationships.
(e) To request and receive annual research reports or summaries from all parts of the University and distributing them to interested persons and
(f) To act as clearing house for information problems works in progress.
(g) To submit reports when appropriate to senate on the committee’s work and summaries of research reports.
SCHOOL BOARD OF RESEARCH SUB-COMMITTEE
Provision is equally made that each school shall establish a sub-committee of the Board of Research.
MEMBERSHIP is made up of the following:
Dean - Chairman
One member from each department.
A representative of the University Librarian
IN ATTENDANCE
School Secretary
Head of Departments submitting research proposals.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
i. To receive and consider applications for research awards from staff of the School.
ii To recommend applications for the award of research grants to the University Board of Research using guidelines set by the Board.
iii To deal with any other matter that may be referred to it by the University Board of Research and , or the Vice- Chancellor.
PAST CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD
The statutory chairman of the Board is the Deputy Vice- Chancellor. However a substantive Chairman is usually appointed from the Senior Academia to directly oversee the affairs of the Board.
The Chairmen of the Board from 1994 - date are as follows:
1. Prof. S.A. Garba 1994 - 1998
2. Prof D.O.Adefolalu 1999 - 2004
3. Prof.O.O.A.Fasanya 2004 - 2007
4 Prof. M.A.T.Suleiman Nov 2007 Jan 2008
5. Prof. D.A. Muazu March 2008 Till Date
RESEARCH PROPOSALS
All staff especially Academic staff are entitled to submit vibrant research proposals to the Board for research grants. Any non-academic staff wishing to submit research proposals for consideration may forward the same to the Board sub-committee of any School, which in his/her judgment he/she considers closest to his/her area of interest.
No staff on staff fellowship shall be eligible for the award of the University Board of Research award simultaneously.
RESEARCH PROJECTS APPRAISAL COMMITTEE
This committee was constituted in June 2007 with the mandate to:-
(a) Help monitor approved projects and the utilization of released fund of such project by beneficiaries.
(b) Advice the Board appropriately on the beneficiaries such that future allocations will be adequately guided. To ensure that the research of the institution is protected and projected at appropriate times.
(c) Help sustain the culture of research in the University.
MEMBERS of the committee:
Dr. S. Sadiku SEET Chairman
Dr. M.G.M.Kolo SAAT Member
Dr. (Mrs.) S.Zubairu SET Member
Dr B.E.N. Dauda SSSE Member
Dr. J.J. Dukiya SEMT Member
Dr. E.C. Madu SICT Member
L.Y. Peter (Mrs.) UBR Secretary
Since membership of this committee cuts across all schools the committee, it is better placed to vet all research proposals emanating from the schools and consequently advise the Board on such proposals. This committee was inaugurated in Nov 2007.
FUNDING / FINANCIAL STATUS
The Board gets its fund from the following sources;
- 5% statutory allocation of University budget to research
- External from private organization sponsoring specific research work in the University i.e. Unipetrol Plc sponsored production of Typhoid Fever Vaccine.
- Government Agencies i.e. National University Commission, Raw Materials and Research Development Council Education Trust Fund (ETF) Etc.
The Bursary Department is the custodian of, and handles all financial aspects of the Board.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of the Board is to ensure:
- A that vibrant research activity is promoted within the University.
- The output of the research conducted is utilized for the improvement and development of its immediate and entire society at large.
VISION
Having and ensuring a vibrant research-oriented system with adequate funding globally within the University.
MISSION
The mission of the Board is to ensure coordinated research activities within the University system ensuring that due process is followed and adhered to by all.
RESEARCH GRANT
Receipts and approval of proposals are done by the Board after assessment and review have been carried out through due process i.e. passing through the school sub-committee and the Research projects Evaluation Committee.
When the Board finally approves any research proposal, 50% of the approved amount is released to the researchers initially through Bursary. The remaining balance of 50% is paid to the beneficiary after submitting a progress report and retiring the initial 50% of the grant.
MAJOR ACTIVITIES
PROPOSALS
The following number of proposals by Schools among many were recommended and got approval for funding in the year under review:
SAAT - 1No
SEET - 2No
SET - 2No
SSSE - 3No
CCCFR- 1No (counterpart funding)
NURESDEF 2010
The University took part in the 2010 edition of NURESDEF that took place at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka on 22nd – 26th November 2010.
The University participated in the 4th edition of the Nigerian Universities Research and Development Fair (NURESDEF) which took place at the University of Nigeria Nsukka on 22nd - 26th November 2010.
The theme of the Fair was “Research and the Realization of Vision 20-2020”.
The following Schools exhibited the following at the Fair:
SEET 1. Defeathering Machine
2. Fish feed pelleting machine
3. Tensile testing machine
4. Connecting rod metal machine
5. Experimental Board that aids learning and teaching of Sciences
SSSE 1. Locally produced Geoterrameter
2. Production of Biodiesel from Algae
SAAT 1. Multipurpose mobile fish hatchery
2. Farm made floating feed for Aquaculture species
SICT 1. Impact of Differentiated service billing on the quality service of an IP
Network
2. Stabilizing effect of EDA on vertical handoff between WLAN and UMTS
networks
3. Design of an Enhanced Decision Algorithm (EDA) for vertical handoff
between WLAN and UMTS Networks
4. Socio Info Academic Network Design
The University was awarded Certificate of Participation and the end of the Fair and it was a successful outing.
WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS AND FAIRS
The following Workshops, Seminars and Fairs were attended in the year 2010:
- Training the Trainers workshop on writing winning research proposals at PAN African University Lekki – Lagos, 16 - 17 March 2010.
- INORMS Conference in Capetown South Africa between 11th - 15th April 2010.
- 6th Annual University of Lagos Research Conference and Fair between 20th - 21st October 2010.
- Seminar on Guideline for ETF Intervention: Research, held on 29th June 2010 at NUC Abuja.
- International workshop on EU Grants, policy, European Markets and Funds by Knowledge Factory International (KFI) at Abuja 12th – 14th April 2011 and Lagos 20th – 21st April 2011by Chairman and D. Chairman respectively.
- 9th Niger National Trade Fair (Niger 2011) – 21st June – 2nd July 2011 held at the Trade Fair Complex Minna and the University was awarded Certificate of Participation.
- International Conference on Innovations in Engineering and Technology at University of Lagos on 8th – 10th August 2011 by the D. Chairman.
SYNDICATE GROUPS
There are 7No Syndicate Groups rejuvenated for improving collaborative research culture in the University with 2 leaders appointed for each group. The groups are:
- Energy
- Biotechnology / Genetic
- Environmental
- Space
- ICT
- Human capacity building
- Food security
The activities of the Syndicate Groups are being coordinated by a Committee.
Management has approved that the ETF research allocation be accessed and utilized by the Syndicate Groups to kickstart their seed research works. A form for achieving this has been approved by Management and it is anticipated that the Syndicate Groups will start work as soon as all necessary procedure has been exhausted.
The Syndicate Groups has been envisaged to foster cooperation and unity in the pursuit of common research interests in the system.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE BOARD
Since the Board‘s main mandate centers on Research within the University, it is then pertinent to judge its success or otherwise by the number of research work and other research-related activities that have been carried out.
It is evident from above that a lot of laudable achievement in term of research work had been recorded in various fields.
The University also recorded a lot of successes in its exhibition outings.
This marks a remarkable achievement in terms of research activities within and outside the University.
Collaborative and Multidisciplinary research are being promoted as no Individual research is allowed anymore thereby promoting inter-departmental/school collaboration within the system.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
In spite of laudable achievement outlined, the Board is still basseted with some attendant problems with particular reference to research drive in the University and insufficient funding for specialized research.
It is evident that research in the past few years has been on the decline due to poor research attitude and general show of interest by the staff.
This then makes the clarion call to submit vibrant research proposals very crucial at the moment. However, these submissions can only be achieved when researchers know the importance and achievements derivable. There is therefore the need to sensitize researchers on the need to submit vibrant research proposals for consideration by the Board.
Despite the meager fund accruing to the Board, linkages could be made through the appropriate Unit when there are relevant proposals. Thus, there is equally the need to improve on fund accruing to the Board so that more research submissions can be considered.
Except in some peculiar cases where unforeseen circumstances interfere with research work, it is evident that all submissions are usually being made late and behind schedule.
There is therefore urgent need to have a modality to ensure that researchers make their progress and final project submissions appropriately as when due.
The University has recorded a lot of success on research projects. However, most had ended there without utilization for any benefit. The results should be utilized to impact positively on mankind or the entire society to solve relevant problems.
To promote and sustain the research drive of the University, mini research exhibitions can be carried out from time to time. If and when this is sustained, whenever a call or need to go out for exhibitions arises, the Board already has a data bank from which to improve on for such external exhibitions. This will go a long way to enhance and facilitate prompt readiness towards showcasing the University’s achievement in terms of research.
It is hoped that there will be more research work in the University to propel more development in the entire society. Thus, more result- oriented research and consequently development can be attained through a vibrant Search Board within the University.
CONCLUSION
We hope that the researchers in the University will avail themselves the opportunities available through the Board and even beyond to improve research culture in the University.
Following stipulated rules and guidelines is paramount to achieving this. However, it has been observed that most submissions on research proposals to the Board normally fall short of this.
Consequently, the need for regular workshops and seminars to enlighten researchers on writing vibrant research proposals has been agreed by the Board and it is hoped that this will be achieved soon with resource persons being drawn within and outside the University and cutting across all Schools to make it relevant to all.
Research and Development for Commercialization is being advocated as against Research for academic progression and it is hoped that this will positively impact not just the University’s immediate community but the entire society at large. Researchers can avail themselves the opportunity of global research fund available for utilization by writing and submitting vibrant proposals that can win such available grants.
More research work can equally be encouraged by applauding researchers that have excelled in their field of endeavor.
The Board has been positioned to drive research to laudable heights but this can only be achieved with cooperation of all but especially the researchers.
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