By Victor Nwegede
The David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, has taken the lead in promoting research collaboration and academic innovation in Nigeria as it hosted a groundbreaking one-day summit on Inter-University Collaboration, Access to TETFund National Research Fund, and Moving Research to Policy in Nigeria.
The summit, held on Thursday at Re-Meritona Hotel, Abakaliki, brought together vice chancellors, provosts, deans, and directors of research, ICT, and academic planning from tertiary institutions across Ebonyi State.
The high-level forum provided a platform for academic leaders to strengthen partnerships, enhance access to research funding, and promote evidence-based policymaking through collaborative research.
In his opening address, the Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS, Professor Jesse Uneke, said the initiative was conceived to create a sustainable framework for research cooperation among universities in the state.
“This summit is about building bridges and helping one another grow. No university can thrive in isolation. By working together, we can access research funding that individual efforts cannot secure and generate evidence that directly informs policy,”Prof. Uneke stated.
He announced that the summit would become an annual event, with plans to include private universities in future editions. According to him, institutional synergy is key to unlocking the nation’s full research potential and driving policy reforms that benefit society.
The event attracted notable scholars and policymakers, including Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, former Vice Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike; Prof. Akanerem I. Essien, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo; and Dr. Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Research, Planning and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development.
The speakers emphasized the need for Nigerian universities to leverage TETFund opportunities and ensure that research outputs are translated into practical policies that address national challenges.
In goodwill messages, the Vice Chancellors of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), the University of Science and Technology, Oferekpe, and Aeronautics and Aerospace University, Ezza — Profs. Michael Awoke, Ernest Egba, and Patrick Nwofe commended Prof. Uneke for his foresight, describing the summit as “a new dawn for research cooperation and academic excellence in Ebonyi.”
Also speaking, the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Prof. Amari Omaka (SAN), and Prof. Nwogo Obasi, representing the Secretary to the State Government, lauded DUFUHS for its leadership and reaffirmed the Nwifuru administration’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education under the People’s Charter of Needs policy framework.
In his vote of thanks, Mr. Vitalis Ofor, Registrar of DUFUHS, applauded the enthusiasm of participants, describing the event as “enriching, impactful, and transformative.”
“This summit has shown that collaboration is not just possible but necessary for our progress,”Ofor concluded.
Participants resolved to pursue joint research projects, deepen institutional partnerships, and align university research outputs with policies that drive socio-economic development in Ebonyi State and beyond.
