The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole has charged Researchers and related Scientists, especially in the Academics, to be more conscious of the need for proper management and good delivery of projects, in line with the global standard practice and not the financial gain, as well as the euphoria of winning Grants.
He gave the charge while delivering a Lecture titled, “Project Management and International Best Practices” at a 3-Day Workshop on Fund Sourcing, Writing and Project Management, organized by the University’s Directorate of Grant Management (DGM).
Professor Oyewole, who set aside his toga of office and the attendant paraphernalia, held participants spell bound for about two hours, with smooth delivery of the thematic concern of the Lecture.
He pointed out that “writing proposals is good. Winning grant is even better but the most important thing is to manage the project, that is to make a huge success of the Grant you’ve won”.
He disclosed that what every Researcher and Scientist, at large needed, to make a success of his or her Grant is the ability to plan and control project activities, to achieve project objectives.
Speaking further, the Vice-Chancellor described project as a team work, stating that “you can’t go far, if you are working or doing it alone”.
Consequently, he averred that “it is high time we (scientists) make friends and work (research) together with people in Arts and Social Sciences because every project, for instance required the services of an Economist because everything you do borders on money”.
Aside from working together as a team, Professor Oyewole also stressed the need for Researcher, especially in the academic to network and synergize his or her project with the institution that employs him.
He warned that no sponsor will give project to any researcher that has no affiliation with his employer, stressing that as a matter of fact, the current practice is such that a portion is reserved for the endorsement of institutional head.
Besides, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that scientists must ensure that project enjoys 50 percent gender representation and must also be a risk taker “because life is full of risk and if you can’t take risk you are not a good manager”.
The Vice-Chancellor, who noted that “a University without a Project Management Office will just be attracting individual Grant” expressed joy that FUNAAB’s is not lacking.
He, however, stressed the need for vast improvement in the Directorate of Grant Management (DGM), assuring that personnel therein will start attending international training that will equip them for the challenges ahead.