ABU showcases research findings at RIM symposium in Uganda
Ahmadu Bello University has participated in the three-day face-to-face symposium on Research and Innovation Management (RIM) projects in Uganda, where the University synthesized and showcased its research results.
The symposium, which was jointly organised by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and the Uganda National Commission for Science and Technology (UNCST), took place at the Speke Resort, Munyonyo, Kampala, Uganda from 9th – 11th December, 2024.
The focus of the symposium was to synthesize and showcase research findings from RIM projects to facilitate peer learning and exchange of best practices.
Team ABU, christened ‘Research for Impact (R4i) Initiative’, represented the University at the three-day event that served as a pivotal platform for high-level discussions on various science, technology, and innovation (STI) themes.
The team, led by Dr. Abdulsalam Ismaila Galadima of the Department of Physics, was selected to represent other Nigerian cohorts at symposium on account of its outstanding participation and records of impactful achievements in the ongoing Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) project.
The symposium facilitated engagement with a global network of scholars, industry partners, government representatives, and international organisation.
It also sought to advance the SGCI’s mission of fostering a robust and dynamic STI landscape in Africa, as well as aimed to bring together representatives from all participating science granting councils (SGCs) in sub-Saharan Africa, along with the regional and international STI stakeholders, to support and contribute to the mission.
Dr. Galadima, who spoke on behalf of Team ABU, explained that the symposium provided an avenue for selected funded projects to present their key findings and successes with a view to fostering collaboration, partnership, and knowledge exchange.
“It also provided targeted training sessions for the SGCI-funded projects on best practices in open science and effective science communication strategies.
“Additionally, the symposium explored linkages between academia and industry towards commercialization and scaling-up of innovative solutions, and engage policymakers and stakeholders in discussions on effective research and innovation ecosystems”, he further said.
It would be recalled that the team, ‘Research for Impact (R4i) Initiative’, won the 2023 Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) research grant to develop its innovation tagged ‘AirVolt’. The team’s innovation is an SDG-tied solution aimed at developing an affordable and reliable electricity access for rural healthcare facilities in Northern Nigeria.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
(SGB)
Friday, 13th December, 2024