By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Professor Kate Omenugha, Fnipr on Wednesday, 21st February 2024, inaugurated Research Management Office (RMO) team with a call on them to identified private sector research needs which, she said, may be met through collaboration with COOU's researchers and as well facilitate linkages with the private sector for the sponsorship of research conducted in the University.
Inaugurating the members of RMO the seasoned educationist charged them to provide a directory of private sector research development activities, develop and submit proposals that are satisfactory to funding agencies and create a research hub of young scholars and postgraduate students knowledgeable in grant and proposal writing.
According to her, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) recognized the importance of research and thus sets up the Research Management Office (RMO) that would replaced the Research and Innovation Office of the University
The two -term Commissioner for Education Anambra State said the RMO was primarily composed of academics and scholars who were expected to fastrack research advancement processes through multidisciplinary approaches consciously targeted at funded research using innovative approaches to access various grants.
'Specifically we target the National Research Funds, TETfunds, grants from funding agencies, private sector, Erasmus/ Erasmus plus, international linkages and collaborations.
'It is hoped that the RMO would aid the university in the visibility and viability we seek,' the Acting Vice Chancellor stated.
Speaking on RMO's mandates, Professor Omenugha urged the team to enhanced the visibility of university staff through facilitation and setting up of comprehensive and accurate profile of all staff members on Google Scholar, Research Gate, Scopus, web of science, etc as well as monitor the status of research profiles, even as she said that they would also serve as advisory team for research policies and develop handbooks for intellectual property policy and university ethical standards for research
The University Don tasked them provide a university friendly legal framework for the negotiation of grants and research contracts, ensure financial probity, transparency, accountability and ethical considerations in the research processes and monitor same Identify, develop, protect and market university intellectual property and patents.
Her words, 'RMO has the following mandate to: Put in proper perspective and develop the goal, vision, mission and structure of the RMO. Identify and vigorously pursue NGOs, private individuals, corporate organizations, companies, ministries, etc. interested in research activities, funding and providing support to universities. Reinvigorate research activities in the university and institute an enviable research culture. Work vigorously to access the National Research Funds and place the university among the list of celebrated universities in research and development.
'Galvanize the eco system of the University to be more responsive in proffering solutions to national and global challenges through innovative and multidisciplinary research as well as community engagements,' she concluded.
The newly inaugurated RMO members are as follows:
Prof J.C. Ifemeje Director; Dr John Bosco Egbueri, Associate Director; Dr Chinonso S. Ekesiobi Associate Director, Prof Ngozi Ikechebelu Head, Collaboration & Linkages; Dr Uju Muogbo, Associate Head, Collaboration & Linkages; Dr Lawrence Uche Okoye Collaboration & Linkages; Dr Ikechukwu Emmanuel Asika Collaboration & Linkages, Dr Odira Okeke Collaboration and linkages, Prof Johnpaul Iloh Head, Intellectual Property & Patents, Prof Uchechukwu V. Okpala, Associate Head, Intellectual Property & Patents, Dr Ruth Afunwa Intellectual Property & Patents, Dr Izuchukwu Ifedi, Intellectual Property & Patents, Dr Ikenna Ibeh Legal, Rev. Fr. Justin Ileka, Legal, Dr Chinelo Iyama, Account/ Finance, Dr Ifeyinwa Obi Account/ Finance.
Presentation of operational vehicle, one official laptop each to the team members, group photograph formed the highpoints of the occasion.