FUE Zaria Hosts Workshop to Enhance Academic Research, Digital Literacy

The Federal University of Education, Zaria (FUE Zaria) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening research and academic excellence with the organisation of a One-Day Capacity-Building Workshop aimed at enhancing innovation, publication skills, and digital literacy among academics.

The workshop, organised by the Department of English Education/Literature in English Education, Faculty of Nigerian and Foreign Languages, was held in collaboration with the British Council today 28th January, 2026 at the Dr. Suleiman Balarabe Chamber, FUE Zaria.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of FUE Zaria, Professor Yahaya Isa Bunkure, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Suleiman Balarabe, stressed the importance of research to the growth and relevance of the University, especially as it continues to consolidate its status as a full-fledged university. 

Prof. Bunkure noted that research must be problem-solving and aligned with societal needs, in line with the Federal Government ’s Renewed Hope education policy direction, championed by the Federal Ministry of Education under Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa.

The Vice-Chancellor also cautioned scholars against plagiarism and other unethical academic practices, urging them to respect intellectual property rights in order to safeguard the integrity and credibility of scholarly work.

The workshop, themed “Building Research Capacity Through Innovation, Publication Skills, and Digital Literacy,” attracted scholars from various tertiary institutions, including Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the Nigerian Defence Academy; and the Nigerian College of Aviation, among others.

Key objectives of the programme included strengthening research and academic writing skills; enhancing digital literacy and the application of artificial intelligence in research; promoting responsible scholarship and academic integrity; introducing modern pedagogical strategies; building capacity in grant writing and classroom action research; and improving assessment and feedback through digital platforms.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Head of the Department of English Education/Literature in English Education, Dr. Tosin Oladimeji, commended the British Council for its support and partnership, describing it as instrumental to improving research productivity, digital competence, and publication outcomes within the Department and the University.

She explained that the sessions were designed to promote ICT integration, encourage research productivity, and foster academic excellence, while urging participants to engage actively and apply the knowledge gained to enhance teaching, research, and learning.

Resource persons at the workshop included Dr. Ajibola Ilesanmi, Director, TeCETEL, FUE Zaria, who spoke on Research Writing, Publication Skills, and Modern Pedagogy; Dr. Ayotunde Fadele, ICT Director, FUE Zaria, who delivered lectures on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Research Tools, Grant Writing, and Digital Teaching Technologies; and Dr. Efe M. Omwirhiren of the Department of Chemistry, FUE Zaria, who spoke on Academic Ethics and Classroom Action Research.

The programme was attended by principal officers of the University, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments, members of ELTAN and ESAN, as well as participants from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; the Nigerian Defence Academy; and the Nigerian College of Aviation, among others.