Unijos Soon To Consider Winning Research Grants As Criteria for Academic Progression

UNIVERSITY OF JOS, JOS NIGERIA

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)

INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROTOCOL DIVISION

PRESS RELEASE

UNIJOS SOON TO CONSIDER RESEARCH GRANTS WON BY ACADEMIC STAFF AS CRITERIA FOR PROMOTION

Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, says the University will begin according priority to grants won by Academic Staff as one of the criteria for promotion rather than just relying on Research Papers and Articles published by them as benchmark for career progression.

The Vice-Chancellor disclosed this during an Academic and Research Grant Writing and Publishing Symposium organized by the University’s Office of Research Development (ORD) in Collaboration with the Department of Science Laboratory Technology (SLT), Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Rahila Gowon, the Vice-Chancellor said, the University is making deliberate efforts to put its name on the global scale by attracting many Research Grants. Professor Ishaya encouraged all Academic Staff in the University to key into this new direction, and expressed optimism that the training organized by ORD would provide Researchers with hands-on experience that will boost their proposal writing capabilities for securing internationally funded Projects and Research Grants. He disclosed that plans are being put in place to ensure that during future promotion exercises in the University, additional points are awarded to Academic Staff who win Research Grants.

While describing Researchers in the University as highly talented, the Vice-Chancellor decried poor funding of Research opportunities in Nigeria and called on industry players, commercial enterprises, funding partners and other stakeholders to consider Research as the way forward for Nation building. Professor Ishaya advised the Federal Government to establish Research and Development (R&D) Departments in every Government Agency that would be mandated to carry out Research activities geared towards providing solutions to the Nation’s problems.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed delight that the Symposium Facilitator had come all the way from the United States of America to impart knowledge and ideas to Researchers in the University at no cost to the institution. Professor Ishaya advised the participants to make good use of the knowledge gained from the Symposium to secure Grants and produce impactful Research output from the University.

In his presentation titled “Publication in Science Citation Index (Expanded (SCI) Journal, Writing a Grant Proposal and International Collaboration,” the Lead Facilitator, Dr. Gywa Gideon Deme of the Department of Biology, Case Western University, Ohio, USA highlighted Key Performance Indicators of scholarly contributions. Dr Deme identified improved Academic trust as currency for Grant Funding in the Academia as well as development of Research reputation, improved Scientific personal impact versus Research impact as some of the necessary factors that makes a Grant proposal eligible for funding.

Dr. Deme encouraged Researchers in the University to utilize funding opportunities provided through Fellowship Awards, Research Grants, Career Development Awards, Research Training and Fellowship, Programme Project/Center Grants as well as Resource Grants to fund their Research activities.

The US based Dr. Deme, who although did not attend University of Jos but has been adopted as an Honorary Alumnus of the University, pledged to collaborate with interested Researchers in the institution and train them on viable ways to approach international funding organizations towards gaining access to Research grants. He described his visit to Nigeria as a means to enable Academic colleagues in the country tap from his wealth of experience and apply it for National development.

Earlier in a welcome address, Director, Office of Research Development, University of Jos, Professor Charity Amienyo appreciated Dr Deme for giving back to the University and the Nation at large through his unique training module. Professor Amienyo challenged other Nigerians abroad, especially Alumni of the University to emulate such kind gesture by Dr. Deme, adding that his initiative is adequate testimony that “there is no place like home.”

The Academic and Research Grant Writing and Publishing Symposium titled “The Nigerian Academic and Scientific Research in the 21st Century: Expanding Our Research Collaboration, Grant Writing Skills to Publishing in Global Scientific Journals” was held at the Multipurpose Auditorium, Bauchi Road Campus, University of Jos and is aimed at boosting Researchers’ knowledge in the University on Research Proposal Writing and winning Grants.      

Signed 

Abdullahi Abdullahi

Senior Deputy Registrar (Information and Publications)

7/2/24