Olatunji-Bello, who spoke at the Fifth Research and Innovation Fair of the university, themed: “Harnessing sustainable research and innovation in Nigerian universities towards national growth and development,” said the partnership would engender national growth and development through research outputs.

Citing the multi-faceted challenges confronting developing nations, the VC said universities, by their nature, have a responsibility to come up with solutions.

She said: “It is incontrovertible that in the knowledge-driven world of today, the development of any nation rests on the quality of research and innovation from its universities. Research and innovation feed industries and shape policies that tackle and eradicate illiteracy, poverty, insecurity, overpopulation, brain drain and unemployment.

“Research is the bedrock of sustainable national growth, without which development would remain elusive.”

Olatunji-Bello explained that the research fair was designed to foster lasting collaboration and partnership between key stakeholders in the academia and industries to positively impact society and humanity at large.

“This is expected to have a measurable impact on the industrial ecosystem, in terms of ease of production, discovery of a more cost-efficient production process, or an innovative system that departs radically from the existing norm.

Olatunji-Bello added that the institution, in the last few years, has taken practical steps to strengthen research efforts in order to contribute to the development of Lagos State.

“One of the things we did when we came on board was to institute a five million Naira research grant for our researchers. We also organised, at different levels, research ethics workshops to give impetus to our drive as a university known for cutting-edge research.

Director, Directorate of Research Management and Innovation, Prof. Adejuwon Adeneye, said the research fair was a platform provided by the university to competitively showcase researches and innovation emanating from LASU and other universities.

Adeneye said the fair also brought together inventors/innovators, investors as well as policymakers for interactions and networking, to provide the platform for young talents to be discovered.
“For this year’s research and innovation fair, we received over 500 abstract submissions out of which about 150 were shortlisted for showcasing after rigorous peer review.

“We have also worked to ensure that best research presentations are selected for prize awards,” he said.