The David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, weekend has entered into agreement with states and federal universities in Ebonyi state to enhance research and create better access to funding opportunities.

Professor Jesse Uneke, the Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS said that the synergy would give the tertiary  institutions the opportunity of harnessing each others strength in attracting fund for research purposes.

Uneke disclosed this during a one-day summit on Inter-University Collaboration, Access to TETFund National Research Fund, and Moving Research to Policy in Nigeria in Abakaliki.

The event was organized by DUFUHS Uburu was for principal officers of universities, provosts, deputy provosts, deans of faculties, and directors of research, ICT, and academic planning from tertiary institutions across the state.

He said, “this summit was specially designed for top academic officers to chart a new path for collaboration among universities in Ebonyi State.

“It marks the beginning of a coordinated effort to harness the collective strengths of the institutions for impactful research and policy development.

“This summit is about building bridges. It’s about helping one another grow. No university can thrive in isolation. 

“By working together, we can access research funding that individual efforts cannot secure, and we can generate evidence that directly informs policy,” he said.

Prof. Uneke added that the summit would become an annual event, aimed at strengthening academic partnerships and promoting sustainable research development in the state. 

The summit had seasoned academic leaders as guest speakers, including Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (former Vice Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike), Prof. Akanerem I. Essien (former Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo), and Dr. Kamil Shoretire, Director of Health Research, Planning, and Statistics at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Development.

The speakers underscored the importance of collaborative research, evidence-based policy, and improved access to the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for national development.

In their goodwill messages, the Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Prof Michael Awoke, his counterparts of University of Science and Technology Oferekpe, Prof Ernest Egba,  and that of the Aeronautics and Aerospace University (EAUAE), Prof Patrick Nwofe applauded Prof. Uneke’s initiative and described the summit as timely, impactful, and intellectually enriching, stressing that it has opened new frontiers for collaboration among higher institutions in Ebonyi State.

On their parts. Prof. Amari Omaka (SAN), Ebonyi State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, and Prof. Nwogo Obasi, who represented the Secretary to the State Government, commended DUFUHS for its forward-thinking initiative.

 They reiterated the Nwifuru administration’s commitment to strengthening tertiary education under the People’s Charter of Needs policy.