Covenant University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Abiodun H. Adebayo, recently held a special meeting with the University's researchers to present them with seed grants, as approved by the Chancellor and Chairman, Board of Regents of the University, Dr. David O. Oyedepo, for their research projects.
The researchers, whose proposals have successfully passed the university's rigorous selection process, were commended by the Management of the University, for their contributions to the institution's academic excellence. The grants were provided to support the researchers in advancing their work.
In his address, Professor Adebayo praised the researchers for their dedication and emphasized the importance of research in enhancing the university’s global standing, while expressing gratitude to the Board of Regents of the University for their continued support.
Professor Adebayo highlighted the University's commitment to impactful research, stating, "A university exists to conduct research, and the results must benefit the community, the nation, and the world." He noted that the university's high global ranking is a testament to its robust research output. The Vice-Chancellor also mentioned that the university's management has taken a significant step by funding student proposals through various research initiatives.
The Vice-Chancellor presented the seed grant cheques to the researchers, advising them to use the funds solely for their intended research purposes. He reiterated the university's desire to see significant progress and high-quality publications resulting from these grants.
Responding on behalf of their respective Research Clusters, that are recipients of the seed grants, Professor Shalom Chinedu and Dr. Mercy Ogbari, expressed their gratitude. They both thanked the University's management for the great support, highlighting the encouragement and trust placed in them.
The Director of Covenant University’s Center for Research Innovation and Discovery (CUCRID), Professor Conrad Omonhinmin, elaborated on the seed grant system, aligning it with the University’s 7:20:30 vision. He explained that the seed grants are intended to promote active research, support preliminary studies, and encourage researchers to apply for larger national and international grants. The grants are also aimed at expanding funding for postgraduate research, exemplified by the World Bank’s CAPIC-ACE initiative.
Professor Omonhinmin detailed the grant application and review process, noting that the first batch of grants, totaling over 20 million naira, has already been disbursed. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of these funds, stating that CUCRID will monitor the progress of funded projects and require regular reports.
In his remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olujide Adekeye, commended the researchers and expressed optimism that their work would attract external grants in the near future.
The Registrar, Mrs. Regina Tobi-David, also congratulated the researchers and quoted the scripture in Mark 4:8, to inspire them to make fruitful use of the seed grants.
In his closing remarks, Professor Adebayo expressed deep appreciation to the Board of Regents of the University, for their unwavering support; while expressing the hope that future grants would be even larger, enabling more groundbreaking research.
The Director, of Financial Services, Pastor Wole Bolujoko, was also present at the special meeting, underscoring the event's significance in the university's ongoing commitment to research excellence.