Campus News

Ku8+, RikeSD sign MoU to foster industry, varsity partnership

In a drive towards advancing education, research and innovation in Kwara State, the Consortium of Universities in Kwara State (Ku8+) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Research for Impact, Knowledge-Based Economy, and Sustainable Development Organization (RikeSD) to fast-track strong handshake with the industries nationally and internationally.

The MoU signing ceremony was held penultimate Friday (December 6, 2024) at the Office of the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of KU8 and Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, expressed the conviction that the Consortium will be able to leverage the exposure, experience and the ability of the RikeSD in driving the KU8+ universities to the desired goal.

Prof. Egbewole described the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as a significant step towards transforming research funding, strengthening collaboration, and building partnerships among universities, RikeSD, and potential development partners.

The Vice Chancellor also commended the Executive Director of RikeSD, Dr Mustapha Popoola, for his dedication to advancing the process and acknowledged his pivotal role in the initiative.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of RikeSD, Dr Mustapha Popoola, explained his organisation’s plans to adopt innovative financing strategies by fostering partnerships with industries, adding that the initiative was aimed at creating a collaborative environment where industries present challenges, and academics in the KU8+ institutions utilise their human resources to provide solutions.

Dr Popoola noted that stakeholder engagement workshops will be organised to facilitate dialogue with industries in Kwara State as part of the initiative, stating that these workshops will explore areas of collaboration and promote academia-industry mobility, bridging the gap between academic research and industrial needs.

The Executive Director of RikeSD added that a programme is being developed to provide opportunities for lecturers and researchers to engage in consultancy roles with organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank.

He added that the initiative would be aligned to academic research with global development needs that would enable academics to contribute their expertise while pursuing additional professional opportunities.

Present at the signing ceremony were the Secretary of KU8+, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewumi University, Oko, Prof. Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo; the Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Prof. Noah Yusuf; and the Vice Chancellor of Kwara State University, Malete, Prof. Shaykh Luqman Jimoh.

Others were the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Olubunmi Abayomi Omotesho; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services), Prof. Suleiman Folorunsho Ambali; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research, Technology and Innovation), Prof. Adegboyega Adisa Fawole; the Registar, Mr Mansur Adeleke Alfanla; the Librarian, Dr Kamaldeen Tunde Omopupa and the Bursar, Mr Abiodun Lawal, among others.