Varsities’ Relevance in 21st Century Pivots on Research, Community Service, Says Bogoro

Kuni Tyessi in Abuja

Two-time Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, has revealed that only research and community service can anchor the relevance of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions within the global tertiary education context.

Bogoro who spoke at the 11th convocation ceremony of the Nile University of Nigeria under the topic “Reasserting the Pivotal University Roles of Research and Community Service for National Development,” said the essence of research has become imperative, stressing that the ultimate objectives for both theoretical and applied research must be carried out to conclusion.

He observed that in many cases, some community services also serve as avenues for additional income for the faculty members, thus becoming a win-win situation for both the community and the lecturers, though he lamented that “this is one area that has not been explored enough to the benefit of universities and the community.”

Commending the increase of education tax from 2.50 to 3.00 percent through TETFund, the former executive secretary added that more funds are to be deployed to address non-budgetary funding intervention priorities for public tertiary institutions, the justification for the establishment of TETFund ab-initio.

According to him, “For universities to be relevant in both local and larger context, they must be seen to undertake Research and Community Service that address and solve problems and needs of the university community, but more importantly, the needs and demands of the immediate community and nation.

“This is the reason why justification for any research enterprise is clearly expressed in all research proposals. There must always be justified anticipated deliverables that must be problem-solving. It took the injection of science and innovation for Malaysia to have imported our oil palm and has over the years turned its innumerable Value Chain into a goldmine.”

Commending President Bola Tinubu for paying four months out of the eight months of withheld salaries owed to lecturers in the public universities due to strikes, Professor Bogoro recalls, “President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural address, vowed to end the embarrassing cycle of ASUU strikes in our universities. He has just paid four months out of the eight months of withheld salaries of university lecturers in public universities.

“He has also commendably approved a Student Loan Scheme aimed at relieving students of indigent parents and also making available part of the loan to address the financial squeeze arising from non-payment of tuition fees in Public Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education,” he added.