Collaborative Research is the Way Forward for Groundbreaking Impact, Asserts UI Vice-Chancellor

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. K. O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, asserted that the way to go in conducting robust, ground breaking and impactful research is by going through the route of multi-disciplinary research, particularly those that cut across institutions and geographic regions. This he stated, could develop into robust partnerships that would have multi-sectoral and far-reaching impacts.

Prof Adebowale made this assertion while receiving some researchers from the school of Transportation, Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Republic of China. The researchers are working on a collaboration with the Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Technology, at the University.

Speaking at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor reiterated the vision of the University to transit into a postgraduate University with emphasis on research, given the pivotal role research plays in influencing change and promoting positive transformation in the society.

Towards the pursuit of this vision, Prof Adebowale said that the University has continued to partner with many institutions across the globe, encouraging multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral research for maximum impact.

He stated that the opportunity for collaboration between the two institutions could not have come at a better time, pledging the support of the University, while also encouraging that the partnership be expanded to other areas of collaboration, including student/staff exchange.

In her remarks, the leader of the research team and the Deputy Director, Provincial Experimental Teaching Demonstration Centre, HIT, Prof Liyan Shan stated that her team is proposing a research collaboration with the University of Ibadan to the Chinese government, which is looking to fund ten collaborative researches with African Institutions.

Prof Shan noted that the visit was to ensure that all requirements from the University of Ibadan as their partner on the project are received and tendered in order to facilitate the success of the proposal.

She expressed great optimism that the proposal will be successful and looks forward to a fruitful collaboration.

The Principal Investigator on the proposed partnership from the University of Ibadan, Prof. B.O. Dahunsi said that the idea of the partnership came about as a result of the collaboration that the University had with the Chinese Construction Road and Bridges Corporation (CRBC) on the Ibadan Urban Flood Management Project which was contracted to CRBC by the Oyo state government.  

Ms Lily Jiang, who spoke on behalf of CRBC stated that the Organisation, which facilitated the proposed partnership with HIT is one of the largest Chinese construction companies and has been in Nigeria for over ten years, implementing various construction projects. One of these projects, she stated, was the Ibadan Flood Management project, on which they partnered with the University to implement. 

She solicited for projects from the University of Ibadan, assuring management that it would enhance the chances of the HIT/UI proposed research project with the Chinese government.

Also on the visit were Dr Wencui Yang from HIT, Engr. Wubrow from CRBC as well as stakeholders from the Faculty of Technology, University of Ibadan.