By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The management of Sa’adu Zungur University has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting staff development, research advancement, innovation, and industry collaboration as part of efforts to strengthen academic excellence and contribute to societal growth.
The institution made this known during a three-day Stepdown Training Workshop on Research Administration, Industry Collaboration, and Commercialization held at the university’s Gadau Main Campus.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Fatimah Tahir, stressed the importance of continuous training for academic staff, especially in the area of research and innovation.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Bala Ma’aji Abdulhamid, she explained that the workshop aligned with the Federal Government’s policy direction aimed at transforming research outcomes into practical solutions that would benefit industries and society.
The Vice Chancellor noted that the university remained committed to equipping its workforce with the knowledge and skills required for institutional growth and sustainable development. She recalled that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund had sponsored some members of staff for specialized research and development training last year, adding that the current workshop was designed to allow beneficiaries of those programmes to transfer the acquired knowledge and experiences to other academic staff.
In his remarks, the Director of the Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation (CERI), Dr. Usman Waziri, disclosed that the Vice Chancellor directed the organization of the workshop to broaden the impact of the earlier TETFund-sponsored trainings. He stated that no fewer than 64 academic staff from various faculties and departments participated in the programme, alongside participants from other tertiary institutions including Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Aminu Sale College of Education, and Federal University of Health Sciences.
Dr. Waziri added that the workshop, fully sponsored by the university, featured expert presentations on research administration, commercialization, academia-industry collaboration, innovation management, emotional intelligence, and community partnerships. The training also included interactive sessions and group presentations aimed at strengthening participants’ understanding of the topics discussed.
Stakeholders at the event observed that effective collaboration between academia, industry, and communities remained essential for addressing societal challenges and promoting economic development in Bauchi State and Nigeria as a whole
