Prof. Abdulrasheed Na’Allah, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), has called on students of the institution to be hardworking and come up with cutting-edge researches that would enable them win grants for development.
Na’Allah made the call at the university on Wednesday during a sensitisation seminar organised by the Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training (IAMRAT), with the theme “The Art of Winning Grants”.
He said with the rate of socio-economic problems confronting the nation, tertiary institutions must solve societal and national problems through adequate researches.
According to him, there is need for university students to come up with research works to enable them win grants that will make positive changes in the society.
“I want to encourage the students to constantly interact with this centre and to constantly make efforts through adequate research and keying into grant application for development.
“The overall aim is to encourage schools that are doing well, if we can have at least standardised and equipped schools in Nigeria, that would solve the problems of education in the country.
“Time has come for scholars and researchers to come out with innovations and ideas for the growth and development of the country.
“As a university, we should solve problems for organisations such that when they are recruiting students, they should be able to consider those from your institutions,” he said.
However, Na’Allah promised that he would empower workers in the university by putting in place the necessary support to enable the institution succeed.
He noted that good research institutions would teach researchers how to effectively prepare students for the rigours of university education and techniques to improve outcomes in universities.
Dr Fatima Kyari, the Director, Institute of Advanced Medical Research and Training, said the seminar is an awareness programme aimed at advancing Medical Research in the institution through collaboration with other research institutes.
Kyari said adequate research would provide opportunities to celebrate some universities in the global university ranking, while urging the students to see themselves as solutions to problems and not the problem.
She encouraged the students to understand their areas of expertise, develop a passion, have a lot of patience and apply the right funding opportunity in their research to enable them secure grants.
However, she described undergraduate research as a unique opportunity for students to work with the university on their scholarships and contribute their knowledge of a particular discipline.
A participant, from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Mr Afolabi Victor, thanked the centre for the training programme and promised to work hard on research to enable him win grants for the development of the university.
(NAN)
