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The strong research and development
orientation of the University has had a profound influence on several
aspects of the planning of the University, apart from its academic and
administrative structures. Thus, the customary responsibilities of the
DVC (Academic) have been broadened to include the supervision of the
University Library. This influence has, in addition, led to the emergence
of the DVC (International Affairs and Industrial Cooperation) and the DVC
(Development, Planning and Management control).
Other consequences include:
i. The
decentralization of the administration arrangements for postgraduate
training and supervision through the establishment of separate graduate
schools corresponding to each of the eight schools of the University.
ii. The
priority accorded to production-oriented research and development
activities in the research institutes of the University which cover a
wide range of academic disciplines and interests;
iii. The
promotion of technology business incubation and entrepreneurship
development, through the establishment of appropriate centres as vital
facilities for ensuring industrial and commercial production as the
logical target of market-driven research and development effort;
iv. A
conscious effort to reflect current and emerging R & D trends in the
academic activities of the University, particularly in respect of taught
programmes for Masters’ Degrees.
The variety and scope of the envisaged
research and development activities are reflected in the wide range of
options available within the academic units of the University. Over 100
research and development areas, which are not exhaustive, but which are
in line with the development needs of the State are envisaged and have
been identified within the various Schools/Graduates Schools. They are,
in effect, ample research interests from which viable programmes for
degrees, as well as market-oriented projects, are to emerge.
In addition, it is expected that the
research and development interests of the academics and research experts
would affect, in reasonable measure, certain aspects of advanced
undergraduate Programmes, particularly final year projects, especially
those which reflect the productive consultancy effort within the
industrial collaboration activities of the University.
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