Yaba College of Technology Lagos, Nigeria's premier tertiary Institution has launched a National Hub for researchers in the country, where academics in various Institutions will have opportunities to enhance their capacity in research and award winning grant proposal writing as well as produce high impact journals
Rector of the Institution, Engr. Obafemi Omokungbe who formally launched the historical research hub on Monday inside main auditorium of the college , said the hub would be domiciled at the TETfund Centre of Excellence in Skills Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development established in 2021, to build capacity in applied/innovative research and skills development
The rector was full of praises for Author AID in United Kingdom in partnership with Author AID National Research Hub for the Initiative, assuring the organization of the YabaTech management support which aimed at promoting culture of qualitative research
"I believe the Author AID National Research Hub, Nigeria will meet the needs of academics in YabaTech and other Institutions in Nigeria to enhance their capacity in research and award winning grant proposal, publication in high- impact journals and through collaboration within the hub", he stated
Omokungbe urged researchers at the National Research Hub to work closely with policy makers, practitioners and communities by using their enhanced research and communication skills to address local and national challenges
According to him, "YabaTech is commited to supporting its academics to develop research skills and build their careers and also create the enabling environment"
He appreciated the Author AID and the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP), United Kingdom for the Initiative and its partnership with YabaTech while acknowledging the contributions of researchers in other collaborating Institutions including University of Port Harcourt, University of Nigeria, University of Calabar, Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe , Institute of Mangrove Ecology and Environmental Technology, Delta State
Also speaking, National Co-ordinator of Author AID National Research Hub, Nigeria, Dr.Funmilayo Doherty represented by Director, TETFund Centre of Excellence In Skills, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development, Arc.Sheriffdeen Ayodele-Ojo, described the newly established hub at YabaTech as a free pioneering global network that provides support, mentoring, resources, and training for researchers in low- and middle-income countries.
"It is a project of the International Network for Advancing Science and Policy (INASP), INASP is an international development organization based in Oxford, United Kingdom with 30 years’ experience of working with a global network of partners in Africa, Latin America, and Asia", she stated
"The AuthorAID online platform offers free online mentoring and collaboration, online courses and resources"
The National Co-ordinator who lauded the management of Yaba tech for the support given to the hosting of the National Hub, revealed that the organization boast of over 26,000 members in the community from 175 countries adding that members in Nigeria were among lucky winners to have secured grant for the establishment of research hub in the country
"The AuthorAID ambition is to be community-led and drawing on a network of volunteers across the globe to offer advice, mentoring, support and peer-learning opportunities to early-career researchers at scale", she further disclosed
Doherty assured that the hub whose membership comprise of network of volunteers, would continue to focus on how researchers can achieve their goals by strengthening their skills and deepening their confidence to build new connections, positioning them to undertake relevant, high-quality and engaged research.
"Through this research hub in Nigeria, we will help to root AuthorAID more strongly in Nigeria, providing opportunities for members to contribute to, and lead on AA initiatives to reach more people, and deliver more value for its global community of researchers.
She described the hub as new seed being planted in research space, that is expected to bear fruits would impact on the society saying YabaTech is now on global map for hosting the hub in the country, commending the Institution for promoting the culture of research excellence
South-South Zonal Co-ordinator of Author AID in the country, Dr.Eucharia Oluchi Nwaichi during the event, conducted capacity building workshop targeted at enhancing the skills of individuals to promote the culture of excellence in research
She encouraged them to be innovative or creative while building their personal profile on social media
Eucharia at the workshop titled " Online Presence of a Scholar in the 21st Century", stressed the importance of networking among researchers, to enable them publish high-impact journals through collaboration within the research hub.
High point of the event, was the formal launching of the National Research Hub by the rector of YabaTech
There were goodwill messages from Author AID Representative in UK, Andy Nobes andrepresentatives of the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt, Lagos State University, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
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