Investing in science, technology and innovation (STI) is key to boosting the socio-economic and scientific development of African countries. The Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and a South Africa-based social development company, Africa Science Gateway, are unlocking this immense potential and helping to shape a bright future on the continent.
Shaping the future of higher education through benchmarking, research and innovation collaboration and teaching and learning technologies.
The Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and the Africa Science Gateway collaboration is striving to achieve this by creating an environment that unlocks the full potential of regional higher education institutions through benchmarking, research and innovation collaboration, teaching and learning technologies, and best practices. This will enable institutions across Africa to provide innovative educational and research opportunities to their students while making sure that they have access to the latest knowledge, resources, and technological developments.
Introduction to the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities and Africa Science Gateway.
The Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and Africa Science Gateway (ASG) are organizations that are dedicated to promoting, developing, and championing the advancement of science, technology and innovation on the African continent.
The Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) was established in 1962 as the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. The committee goal was to create a forum to discuss challenges affecting higher education institutions across Nigeria, exchanging information and ideas on how Vice-Chancellors can resolve their critical challenges and take common positions on implementation of policies and directives of the government that affect their respective universities. The latter fueled the establishment of the National University Commission that same year.
Africa Science Gateway, a subsidiary of Intiomale and Company, is a university-government-industry information service and collaborative platform based in South Africa that empowers institutions across Africa through research and collaboration on innovative solutions. These two organizations have come together in collaboration to create an environment that unlocks the full potential of science, technology and innovation (STI) for higher education institutions across Africa. The AVCNU provides direction and guidance, while ASG provides technological expertise. Together, they strive to provide access and opportunities to not just students but also faculties by providing resources, mentorship and funding.
Science, Technology and Innovation – Challenges Facing African Higher Education Institutions.
African higher education institutions face a range of challenges in integrating science, technology and innovation for maximum advantage. Inadequate resources and learning materials, limited access to emerging technologies, inadequate training and capacity building, and difficulty accessing external collaboration opportunities are key areas of challenge. Additionally, the lack of adequate public funding and private investment presents additional hurdles that need to be overcome. However, with the right approach, it is possible to unlock STI potential at all African higher education institutions.
Current STI Support Programs in Nigeria and the West African Region.
A number of support programs have been launched by various organizations, governmental and otherwise, with the goal of unlocking African STI potential at higher education institutions in Nigeria and West Africa through subsidies and research partnerships since 2005. The Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities has partnered with Africa Science Gateway to launch a comprehensive initiative focusing on research, the emergence, and use of new technologies, collaborations, and best practices with various stakeholders. The program seeks to provide innovation and commercialization frameworks that can help equip Nigerian universities and beyond with innovative capabilities for maximum impact in the region and strengthen collaboration between universities, government, and industries.
Opportunities & Models for Collaboration between AVCNU & Africa Science Gateway at the 31st Annual Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities
The 31st Annual Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities held at the University of Jos in May 2016 provided an opportunity for both AVCNU and Africa Science Gateway to collaborate and identify opportunities. This includes the possibility of developing more channels for collaboration between the two organizations, such as expanding faculty and student exchanges and joint research projects; leveraging their combined resources to facilitate access to digital infrastructure such as funding database, laboratory equipment, and other research materials; and identifying models for shared technology incubation hubs that could serve as centers of STI excellence.
Africa Science Gateway stands with the heads of private, state, and federal universities in deploying all avenues to see higher education institutions turned around to comply with the government’s desire to use them to fix Nigeria’s economy.
The well-attended AVCNU annual conference, hosted by Prof. Hayward B. Mafuyai, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos (UNIJOS), at the Chief Richard Akinkide Centre for International Law and Diplomacy in Plateau State, gathered leaders to discuss inter-institutional and international cooperation. Issues of structures, policies, and frameworks within universities were emphasized to further engage government and industry on how best to move the education sector toward international competitive advantages.
The keynote speech delivered by Prof. Adam Habib, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Witwatersrand, highlighted that leaders were transforming from the world that exists to the world that they wish existed if they did not invest enough in higher education. He further stated that all institutions should be funded-equally for their very mandate, and that it wasn’t good enough for any political reason not to fund higher education institutions.
Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State formally opened the event, emphasizing his commitment to higher education and the accreditation of the Plateau State University, which he has endorsed at the Senate.
The 2016’s meeting was graced by leading speakers, including Prof. Julius Okojie, Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Peter A. Okebukola, former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Nelson Agaba Ochekpe, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of the University of Jos, among others.
During a press briefing, the Chief Host, Prof. Hayward B. Mafuyai, stated that AVCNU aims to ensure that university education plays a pivotal role in the human and material development of the Nigerian nation. This is done by pursuing joint action to achieve quality education and higher academic standards. This formed the basis of the conference theme: “Quality assurance and global competitiveness: A challenge for Nigeria.”
In light of the foregoing, Africa Science Gateway established a local representation in Lagos and Abuja at the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, thanks to the strong partnership led by Prof. Michael Faborode, to implement strategies and find solutions to the very challenges of university-government-industry collaboration, identify the needs of industries for national development prospects, and strengthen research and innovation cooperation and uptake for local relevance and global competitiveness.
