Take advantage of research grants: The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako admonishing a cross-section of University Researchers at the Training
Researchers in the University have been charged to take advantage of the numerous research grants opportunities available, to proffer solutions to challenges plaguing the Country and attract appropriate research facilities to the University.
Giving this charge at the 2018 Grant Sourcing and Proposal Writing Training Workshop, organised by the Directorate of Grants Management (DGM), The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kolawole Salako disclosed that grants are established in response to the needs of researchers, particularly in developing countries to find solutions to global development challenges.
Delivering a lecture titled, “Research Grant Sourcing – A Panacea for Research Development in Nigeria”, the Vice Chancellor pointed out that grant sourcing has been made easy with the advent of the internet, making it possible for researchers to search online for websites of funding agencies as well as database of relevant agencies for grants.
He advised researchers to always carefully study guidelines and requirements entrenched in research grants so as not to fall short of the donor’s expectation, adding that accountability is paramount in the execution of grants which according to him would help to attract more grants.
Professor Salako who noted that the power to save Nigeria lies in the hands of Nigerians who have a better understanding of the terrain and culture, enjoined researchers not to see grants as free money which can be spent carelessly but as a project which must be painstakingly executed to bring about development in the University and the Country at large.
Emphasizing the importance of credibility, the Vice Chancellor said “without credibility you can win a grant but never get another one”.
Speaking on the expected impact of the Workshop on the University, Professor Salako disclosed that it is in line with his Mission Statement when he assumed duty as the Vice Chancellor in November 1, 2017 which is to attract more grants for research activities in the University.
He added that the Workshop is poised at adequately equipping Scientists and human resources with the needed skills to write grants winning proposals and to successfully execute research grants.
Lectures delivered at the Workshop include Research Ethics by Professor Isaac Aiyelagbe; How to Write a Winning Research Proposal by Professor Adebayo Shittu; How to Search and Source for Research Grants by Professor Lateef Sanni and Practical Application of Research Proposal Writing and Grant Sourcing as well as Assessment of the Practical Session by Dr. Adeniyi Afolabi.
Others were Secret of Winning Research Grants: The “Dos and Don’t” of Grant Applications by Professor Kola Adebayo; Research Grant – My U.K. Experience by Professor Tokunbo Taiwo; Project Management, Intellectual Properties and Patent by Professor Akin Omotayo and Mentorship in Research by Professors Lateef Sanni, Morenike Dipeolu, Kola Adebayo and Isaac Aiyelagbe.