FCT COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HOSTS WORKSHOP ON TRIPLE HELIX MODEL TO BOOST RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

By: Blessing Ofurum

The Directorate of Educational Services at the FCT College of Education (FCT COE), Zuba–Abuja, has organised a high-level step-down workshop aimed at strengthening research output and improving access to research funding.

Declaring the workshop open, the Provost, Dr. Sule Mundi, represented by the Deputy Provost (Administration), Dr. (Mrs.) Gbemisola Olotu urged participants to apply the knowledge gained from the training to enhance the quality and impact of research in the college.

In her presentation, the Director of Educational Services, Dr. Amina Tijjani, highlighted the importance of the Triple Helix Model, describing it as a collaborative framework that links tertiary institutions, industry, and government in driving innovation and development.

According to her, while academic institutions generate knowledge and research findings, industries play a critical role in commercialising ideas, while government provides enabling policies and funding support to sustain innovation.

Dr. Tijjani stressed the need for stronger partnerships between institutions and industry, as well as the establishment of clear intellectual property policies to ensure that research outputs remain relevant and impactful. She added that Colleges of Education can play a vital role in addressing educational challenges through curriculum innovation and improved teacher training programmes.

However, she identified poor infrastructure and policy inconsistencies as major barriers to research commercialisation, calling for stronger incentives and institutional support systems to encourage research-driven innovation.

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr. Joseph Akande of the FCT COE delivered a presentation on how researchers can access the National Research Fund (NRF), an initiative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) designed to bridge funding gaps in academic research.

Dr. Akande outlined the key requirements for accessing the fund, including eligibility criteria, proposal screening processes, oral defence stages, and the phased disbursement of funds to successful applicants.

The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts to position the FCT College of Education, Zuba, as a hub for innovation, research excellence, and academic development.

Among those in attendance were the Deputy Provost (Academics), Dr. Habib Babajo; the Registrar, Hajiya Zainab Suleiman Itakure; the Bursar, Mr. Joseph Iyako; as well as deans, directors, and members of the Directorate of Educational Services and Support Services.