University-industry interface activities: Awareness of sponsored research among Nigerian academics

Abstract

Due to the present poor economic conditions and the dwindling government funding of education, most universities all over the world have been making desperate attempts to generate funds from other sources. Involvement of industries in university research activities is one of major proposal that has gained considerable publicity and success especially in the advanced countries. This study therefore assessed the level of awareness of this university-industry interface among scholars in Nigerian federal universities. It also determined the sources through which academics get information on it. A 68-item questionnaire called “Awareness of and sources of information on sponsored research among Nigerian academics (ASISRNA)” was administered on a sample of 563 academics in 13 Federal universities. Mean scores, z-test, and Analysis of Variance were used to seek answers to research questions and to test significant differences among the research variables at 0.05 significant level.

The result of the study indicated among others: that although academics in Nigeria Federal Universities are quite aware of industry sponsored research and the benefits associated with it, the level of their involvement in it is low. Direct contact and interaction among scholars and industrial organizations prove to be the most important source of information on sponsored research. Based on these findings, it was recommended among other things that both government and university authorities should develop increased awareness on sponsored research to encourage the involvement of lecturers in it so that they can generate substantial funds as is the case in many countries.

Ghana Journal of Development Studies Vol.1(2) 2004: 101-117