Bayelsa disburses research grants to 16 university teams
The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund has disbursed research grants to 16 teams from the state-owned tertiary institutions to support research, innovation and solutions to local challenges.
The beneficiaries are researchers from Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Medical University and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund has disbursed research grants to 16 teams from the state-owned tertiary institutions to support research, innovation and solutions to local challenges.
The beneficiaries are researchers from Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Medical University and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.
Speaking at the award ceremony of the Tertiary Institutions Research Grant Scheme on Friday, the Executive Secretary of the EDTF, Prof. Ebimieowei Etebu, said the scheme was designed to strengthen research and knowledge creation in the state’s tertiary institutions.
Etebu said the grants would enable researchers to develop practical solutions to challenges peculiar to Bayelsa and generate findings that could contribute to policy development.
“I am pleased that we are here today to formally present research grant awards to successful grantees of TIRGS,” he said.
He said the 16 research teams were selected after their proposals underwent institutional review and validation before receiving final approval from the EDTF.
According to him, the grants would be released in tranches to promote accountability and ensure the successful completion of the approved projects.
He said 75 per cent of each approved grant would be released as the first tranche through the beneficiary institution, while 15 per cent would be paid to the principal investigator as the final tranche after successful completion of the research.
The remaining 10 per cent, he said, would go to the university to cover administrative costs.
Etebu urged beneficiaries to use the funds strictly for their approved research objectives, methodologies and budgets.
He added that principal investigators would be personally responsible for the conduct of their research and the proper utilisation of the funds.
The EDTF, he said, would monitor the projects and require interim and final reports from beneficiaries.
Etebu also urged the beneficiary institutions to provide researchers with adequate oversight and support throughout the duration of their projects.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Chairman of the Teachers Training Registration and Certification Board, Dr Stellar Ugolo, described research as essential to knowledge generation and societal development.
Ugolo congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to use the grants to develop innovations with practical benefits to society. She also called for polytechnics and colleges of education to be included in future research-support programmes.
The Permanent Secretary, Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr Faith Ogbara, urged the beneficiaries to use the funds judiciously and ensure their research produces tangible results.
The beneficiaries pledged to utilise the grants responsibly and deliver findings capable of contributing to Bayelsa’s development.
