Opolo Global, in collaboration with Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), hosted the University Research Fair at Oduduwa Hall. This prestigious fair served as a platform for showcasing a wide array of research products and innovations developed across the institution. The event brought together researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers to celebrate and discuss the innovative research conducted at the university.
The Research Fair was honored by the presence of distinguished dignitaries. Among the esteemed guests were Amb. Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke, First Lady of Osun State; Hon. Oladoyin Olayinka Folorunso, Minister of Education; Professor Odunayo Clement Adeboye, Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University; Professor Taiwo Asaolu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa; Mr. Michael Oye, BOI Regional Manager; and Dr. Olanike Ogunsakin, Senior Research Associate at Opolo Global.
The fair commenced with a series of insightful keynote lectures delivered by these distinguished guests. The speakers focused on the advancement of research for sustainable development and highlighted the crucial role of integrating innovation and technology in both national and global contexts. They discussed the potential for transforming universities into hubs of innovation, akin to modern-day Silicon Valleys, through targeted research efforts. Mr. Michael Oye emphasized the importance of establishing innovation hubs and supportive infrastructure to bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications, advocating for ongoing university-industry collaboration to effectively commercialize research outputs.
The showcase at the fair was nothing short of impressive, featuring seventeen diverse research outputs in critical sectors including, but not limited to, agriculture, health, waste recycling, drug production, and telemedicine. The prototypes displayed, some in the early stages of development, demonstrated significant potential but require further incubation and acceleration to achieve market readiness. Opolo Global Innovation Limited reaffirmed its commitment to supporting these initiatives through its incubation and acceleration programs, ensuring that promising research can transition smoothly from the conceptual stage to full commercialization.
In light of the event’s success, several recommendations emerged. There was a call to replicate similar research fairs across other institutions in Nigeria to facilitate the commercialization of research products and promote broader industry engagement, which projects Opolo Global’s key initiative.
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