Research for Impact: Introduction
Like the concluding line in a quatern of poetry, the Research for Impact (R4i) initiative wrapped up its 16th Edition today at Innov8 Hub. Born from the collaboration between TETFund and Innov8 Hub, R4i is a two-week capacity-building initiative crafted for academia members to transform research ideas into innovative solutions with potential for commercialization.
R4i 16: The Institutions
Participants in R4i 16 were nominated from five tertiary institutions in Nigeria: Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti; Federal University of Technology, Minna; University of Calabar; Gombe State University; and Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi. These academics and researchers underwent an intensive two-week capacity-building process. They translated research into innovative solutions after identifying societal challenges aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. At the conclusion of R4i 16, guided by experts at Innov8 Hub, teams developed prototypes addressing the identified challenges. These prototypes hold the potential for commercialization, fostering opportunities for venture creation and job creation.
R4i 16: Closing Event
During the closing event for R4i 16, Dr. Salihu Girei Bakari, the Director of Research and Development at TETFund, pledged the Fund’s continuous support for initiatives like Research for Impact, driving Nigeria toward a knowledge economy.
R4i 16: The Prototypes
Prototypes developed at R4i 16 include:
- Team 1 (Clean Water and Sanitation) developed KLEEBOTTLE, designed to provide fresh, clean, and risk-free water to school-age children in both rural and urban communities.
- Team 2 (Quality Education) developed the Visually-impaired Augmented Device, ViAD, empowering visually impaired students for active participation in academic activities.
- Team 3 (Zero Hunger) developed EasyPump, a fuelless water pump dismantling barriers hindering the progress of rice farmers.
- Team 4 (Affordable and Clean Energy) innovated GASGLOW, a portable biogas generator converting organic waste into efficient biogas, offering energy and a pathway to economic development.
- Team 5 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) created STRUCTEGRITY, a Remote Digital Monitoring System elevating building integrity testing.
Conclusion
These teams, representing their respective institutions, arrived at Innov8 Hub as academics with potential. They departed with their prototypes, having immersed themselves in the transformative substance of the Research for Impact initiative.
It is indeed a huge privilege to be a part of the ongoing 17th cohort of the R4I initiative at the Innovate Hub. It is an experience that has left an indelible mark on my academic journey.