The research contingent of the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State to the recently concluded 2018 National Technology and Innovation Expo has presented their award to the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba.
The University at the exhibition held from 5th to 9th March, 2018 at the Eagles Square, Abuja came third in the category of tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The intellectual works and innovations of the university researchers were adjudged by the organizers as novel and outstanding, making the institution to receive positive peer, media and industry reviews and commendations.


Presenting the award to the Vice-Chancellor at an event witnessed by members of the enlarged university management, the leader of the FUNAI Team to the exhibition and Director of Research and Development, Professor Onuegbu O. Ugwu extolled his commitment and unalloyed support to research activities in the university, thanking him for sponsoring the research team to the expo despite obvious financial constraints.
He assured the Vice-Chancellor that the lessons learnt at the expo would be put into good use in order to make the university a hub of production-led research in Nigeria. He also called for the continued support of the university management in the areas of research funding, noting that individual researchers cannot bear the full financial weight of their research works alone, and promised to ensure that the university attains the first position in subsequent exhibitions.


On that note the Director of Academic Planning, Professor Dr. Jonny Ogunji pleaded with the Vice-Chancellor to facilitate the adoption of the draft policy on research which the directorate has prepared, stressing the importance of financial support to university researchers to enable them conclude their works on time.
Other speakers at the event noted that the performance of the university at the yearly event was extra-ordinary, taking into cognizance of the fact that it is barely seven years old. They equally urged the university management to give special incentives to researchers to keep them functional and productive.


Expressing his happiness on the feat achieved by the university contingent at the expo, the Vice-Chancellor maintained that research should be conducted for development purposes and not as a mere academic exercise meant to receive promotions at work place. He further promised to liaise with Management and Governing Council to get special financial support for outstanding university researchers, admonishing them not to rest on their oars in order to be the best in their respective fields.