The Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK), Prof. Sa’adatu Liman, has called for collaboration with partners to build the university’s innovation ecosystem.
Prof Liman made the appeal, Monday, at a public lecture and interactive workshop on, “Building innovation ecosystems in Nigerian universities: The Triple Helix imperative” held at the university.
The VC represented by the university’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Maikano Ari, said the theme of the programme perfectly aligned with the vision and aspirations of the university in engaging in research that will lead to innovation for economic growth.
She said building innovation ecosystems requires collaboration, commitment and working together with key players to drive Nigeria’s development.
According to her, this has informed the university’s decision in adopting the Triple Helix as a model which emphasizes collaboration between universities, industry and government to drive innovation and economic growth.
“It is in this view that the University requests the continued assistance and support from our partners, including NASENI, NITDA and Triple Helix Nigeria to nurture us to a state that would make us highly enterprising.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the Triple Helix as a model emphasizes collaboration between universities, industry, and government to drive innovation and economic growth,” she said.
She said, the key strategies for achieving the objectives of the model are essentially: interdisciplinary researches that encourage cross-faculty collaboration; industry partnerships through the development of internships, joint research, and transfer of technology.
She urged the government to enact innovation-friendly policies and funding, and advocated for entrepreneurship culture that would promote startups and innovation hubs.
The special assistent emphasized the relevance of collaboration between universities, industry, and government to drive innovation and economic growth, citing the Triple Helix model.
Prof. Eucharia Nwaichi, a Board member at Triple Helix Nigeria, praised NSUK’s partnership and commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation.
Chief Executive Officer of CypherCrescent Ltd, Engr ThankGod Egbe, explained that the Triple Helix model can help convert university research into startups and industries, creating jobs and driving national development.
“The presentation is about how we can leverage the network around universities to convert projects to innovations, startups, and industries,” Egbe said.
In an interview, the Director, Research, Innovation and Enterprise at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof Josiah Onovo, explained that the programme was organised in collaboration with Triple Helix to further advocate on the importance of collaboration among the three pillars, academia, industry and government, that would result in sustainable development in Nigerian Universities.
Also, while speaking with Journalists shortly after the event, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Entrepreneurship Studies in the University, and member, Local Organising Committee of the event, Dr. Vincent Paul commended Triple Helix Nigeria and the management of NSUK for showing great concern in seeking solutions to issues relating to innovation and development in the country.
The Voice reports that the event featured panel discussions, speeches, and goodwill messages, with attendees calling for government support for innovation and entrepreneurship.
