The Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State, yesterday, held a workshop for the academic staff of the institution on developing sustainable research culture.
The workshop which was held under the auspices of Directorate of Academic Planning is geared towards equipping academics with the requisite knowledge about research funding and grants acquisition and utilization.

Declaring the workshop open, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba who was represented by his deputy Professor Sunday Elom urged the participants to take the workshop seriously, stating that the university is organizing the program in order to help boost the academic standing of its staff to enable them attain greater heights in their respective fields.
In his remarks, the Director of Research and Development, Engr. Professor O.O Ugwu stressed the importance of Research in the development of academics in particular and the country in general, advising the university to concentrate more on developing research programs. He further stated that grants were important for Research but usually most Nigerian Universities do not set aside a good budget for research due to financial constraints. He however admonished the participants to look for outside agencies such as TETFund and PTDF for Research funding and sponsorship even as he also encouraged them to use the internet in searching for possible foreign sponsors.

Speaking on the topic: “How to Identify Appropriate Funders”, the Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Dr. Jonny Ogunji enjoined the participants to apply for funding from appropriate funders. He further encouraged them to make use of the internet in searching for appropriate funders within and outside the country, for their Research works.
In his own presentation on: “How to Write Research Proposal”, Professor Jesse C. Uneke urged researchers to be properly guided while writing Research Proposals. He noted that writing a Research proposal that could be approved by appropriate funders is tricky, advising academics to stop concentrating solely on classroom works but to indulge in Research in order to find solutions to pressing challenges facing mankind.

DVC, Prof. Sunday Elom (6th L) in a group photograph with some members of the University Management and the Resource persons after the workshop