 |
| Credit: Infoprations Analysis, 2018 |
Several months ago, I visited the University of Ibadan in Nigeria to deliver training to 30 professors, directors and HODs on models of bridging the gaps between research and industry. As we drove down the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (over 100Km), I noticed at least 10 new universities on the way.
However, I only knew them by their fancy exotic names,
but most importantly, the monster sizes of their gates. In some cases, there
were no buildings in place but they had gates. Seriously, what is it about
African Universities and the size of their gates? It is almost as if the gates
say 'we are closed, don't come near' little wonder the gap between academia and
industry is huge and isn't that why our amazing students graduate and are
unemployable?
I set up my consulting firm, Envirofly Consulting UK,
some seven years ago, but decided to have my office within the Environment
Research Centre of Lancaster University in a model called 'Co-location'. I have
derived incredible benefits that I am on a mission to bridge the gaps between
research and industry in Africa for employability, productivity and
sustainability. Who is with me? Dr.
Akanimo Odon asked.
Dr Odon’s feelings reinforce existing factors
contributing to frail research and development initiative between universities
and industries. According to the UNESCO, Nigeria’s research and development
spending using a share of Gross Domestic Product is 0.2% compared to South
Africa, Egypt and Ghana with 0.7%, 0.6% and 0.4% respectively. The low
spending has contributed and still being the main factor for conducting studies
that have little or no connection with the problems in the Nigerian society.
For instance, previous
analysis shows that in 2017, Benin, Cabo Verde, Cote D'Ivoire, Gambia,
Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone failed to be at par
with the knowledge economy global trends. The global rankings for the 10
countries in the quality of scientific research institutions connected with the
2017’s knowledge economy global trends negatively. A 16.10% reduction was found.
The hiding of the outcomes of relevant studies in journals is also prevalent
among professors
and doctoral students.
Meanwhile, Dr Odon’s question generated much needed
reactions from the Nigerian professionals. They were furious over the absence
of research and development collaboration, which has the propensity of solving
numerous problems in the country. Some of the professionals decried the
construction of big gate and other infrastructure at the expense of having
adequate R and D facilities and personnel in the universities.
Lack of strategic partnership between the universities and industries
was discussed vehemently. Lack of productive research from the universities to
the industries was equally debated. “Most undergraduate projects are plagiarised,
contributing little or nothing to knowledge. Most projects or dissertations do
not solve current industry problems. Little wonder the mismatch between
graduates produced and the needs of world of work, one of the professionals
pointed out.
Comments
Post a Comment