UI Reaffirms Commitment to Interdisciplinary Research as International Water Project Team Visits

University of Ibadan has reaffirmed its commitment to interdisciplinary research as part of its broader strategy for addressing global environmental and developmental challenges.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Juwon T. Arotiba, made the remark while receiving members of the GWS-SENCE Nigeria research consortium during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

Arotiba, speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Kayode O. Adebowale, stressed that climate change and related environmental risks cannot be effectively addressed by a single discipline or institution, noting that sustainable solutions require coordinated, cross-sector collaboration.

He stated that the composition and objectives of the GWS-SENCE project align with the university’s strategic vision of academic excellence anchored on societal relevance, adding that the institution remains committed to providing an enabling environment for collaborative research.

The Nigeria Team Lead of the project, Moshood N. Tijani, explained that the initiative is an interdisciplinary consortium involving researchers from Nigeria, the Netherlands, Kenya, and Egypt, focusing on sustainable groundwater development.

He said the Nigerian arm of the project brings together experts from multiple disciplines, including geology, geography, zoology, and agricultural extension, to address challenges related to groundwater sustainability, ecosystem protection, and saltwater intrusion in coastal communities.

Tijani added that the project prioritises community engagement, data-driven analysis, and the translation of research findings into practical solutions for water resource management and public wellbeing.

The project coordinator from the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Tibor Stigter, described the initiative as knowledge-driven, aimed at improving sanitation, groundwater quality, and livelihoods in participating regions through sustained research collaboration.

Other members of the visiting international delegation included researchers from Kenya and Egypt, representing institutions such as the University of Nairobi, Nile University, Zagazig University, and Heliopolis University.

The visit further reinforced ongoing international collaboration aimed at strengthening research capacity and developing sustainable solutions to environmental challenges affecting water resources across participating countries.