The Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) has awarded research grants to 16 research teams from three state-owned universities as part of efforts to promote innovation, knowledge creation and solutions to local challenges.

The beneficiary institutions are Niger Delta University, Bayelsa Medical University and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua.

The grants were presented under the Tertiary Institutions Research Grant Scheme (TIRGS) at an award ceremony held on Friday.

Speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the EDTF, Prof. Ebimieowei Etebu, said the scheme was created to strengthen research and development across tertiary institutions in Bayelsa State.

He said the selected projects had the potential to address challenges peculiar to the state, support policy development and improve the quality of education.

Etebu said the 16 research teams emerged after their proposals went through institutional review and validation before receiving final approval from the EDTF.

He explained that the approved grants would be disbursed in tranches to promote accountability and support the successful completion of the research projects.

Under the funding arrangement, 75 per cent will be released as the first tranche through the beneficiary’s institution, while 15 per cent will be paid as the final tranche to the principal investigator after successful completion of the research.

The remaining 10 per cent will be retained by the university to cover administrative costs.

Etebu urged the beneficiaries to apply the funds strictly to their approved research objectives, methodologies and budgets.

He added that principal investigators would be personally responsible for conducting their research and ensuring proper use of the funds, while the EDTF would monitor project implementation and require interim and final reports.

The executive secretary also called on the participating universities to provide adequate oversight and support to researchers throughout the duration of the projects.

In her goodwill message, Executive Chairman of the Teachers Training Registration and Certification Board, Dr Stellar Ugolo, described research as critical to knowledge generation and societal development.

Ugolo urged the beneficiaries to use the opportunity to develop innovations capable of benefiting society. She also called for polytechnics and colleges of education to be included in future research funding programmes.

The Permanent Secretary of the Post Primary Schools Management Board, Mr Faith Ogbara, similarly urged the researchers to use the grants judiciously and ensure their findings contribute to the development of Bayelsa State.

The research funding provides universities with resources to develop practical responses to local challenges and transform academic ideas into innovations.

For Bayelsa, the initiative is expected to strengthen research capacity across its tertiary institutions and provide opportunities for researchers to develop evidence-based solutions to challenges in education, health, agriculture and other areas of development.

Source: msmeafricaonline