DAVID Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, has set a new benchmark in academic innovation and inter-university collaboration as it hosted National Summit on Inter-University Collaboration, Access to TETFund National Research Fund, and Moving Research to Policy in Nigeria.
The one-day event brought together top academics and policymakers to chart new strategies for strengthening research partnerships and translating scientific evidence into actionable government policies.
Jesse Uneke, Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS at the Forum, said the summit was conceived to establish a sustainable framework for collaboration among universities.
“This summit is about building bridges and helping one another grow. No university can thrive in isolation. By working together, we can access research funding that individual institutions may not secure and produce evidence that directly informs national policies”, he stated.
Uneke, a Professor of Health Policy, explained that the summit would be held annually with future editions set to include private universities.
Experts emphasised the importance of leveraging TETFund opportunities and institutional partnerships to drive evidence-based policymaking.
Michael Awoke, Ernest Egba, and Patrick Nwofe, Vice Chancellors of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), University of Science and Technology, Oferekpe, and Aeronautics and Aerospace University, respectively, described Uneke’s initiative as “a new dawn for research cooperation and academic excellence in Ebonyi State.”
Amari Omaka (SAN), the State Commissioner for Tertiary Education and Nwogo Obasi, who represented the Secretary to the State Government, commended DUFUHS for its leadership role, reaffirming Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to strengthening higher education under the People’s Charter of Needs policy.
