NCDMB, Niger Delta University to build closer R&D partnership

The Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa State has sought for closer collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) particularly in Research and Development.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Samuel G. Edonmiekumo made the request when he visited the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote on Tuesday at the Board’s corporate headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

He enumerated the research interests of the university and expertise which could form the basis of strong partnership between the two institutions. He also called on the Board to always consider and give priority to NDU in all NCDMB programmes, particularly in Research and Development.

Edonmiekumo noted that it was the university’s maiden visit to Engr. Wabote since the latter’s appointment as the Executive Secretary over three years ago. He also commended the Board for various capacity development interventions it had initiated in the university, including the donation of Econometric Centre, staff capacity building among other support.  He explained that part of the reason for the visit was to remind the Board that since NDU was selected by the Board as one of the Centres of Excellence for Research, the partnership was yet to be activated.

In his response, Wabote thanked the academics for the visit and interest to deepen the relationship with the Board. He clarified that the Centre of Excellence programme strategy is currently being fine tuned by the Board and that as soon as the roadmap is clearly articulated, it would commence in earnest.

He recalled that the Board invited NDU to the Board’s R & D Colloquium which took place in the last quarter of 2017 and assured the NDU team that the Board will always give due preference to the university as requested.

Wabote also asked the NDU management to furnish the Board in writing with full information on all ongoing research work and innovation pioneered by the university, noting that this would enable the Research and Development Directorate to follow up in order to take some of the projects to deployment and commercialization. He also promised to visit the university to see the state of affairs for himself and determine possible areas of collaboration.

The Vice Chancellor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Donbebe; Director, Alliance and Linkages, Prof. Akllen Agih; Registrar, Mrs. Effua Berepubo; Provost Medical College, Prof. B.G. Fente; Dean Engineering, Prof. E. Adigio and Director Works, Engr. Emma Frank-Opigo.