Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, an academic, diplomat and former Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari has underscored the need for enhanced investments in the nation’s universities to encourage innovations and technological advancement.
Gambari made the call at the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) while delivering a Public Lecture titled, “The Relevance of University Education in Innovation for the Advancement of Town and Gown Symbiosis.”
He underscored the need for investments in the universities as citadels of learning to enable students attain their academic heights, the knowledge frontiers and exploit their natural talents.
He noted that a deliberate policy that encourages investment in research universities, play important roles in knowledge creation and innovation.
“Regardless of which school of thought one subscribes to, what is clear is that there is a correlation stemming from higher education to research and innovation.
“But we must not forget that academic course content also has to keep up with the pace of fast-expanding knowledge frontiers.” he said.
The attainment of the goals of university education, according to him, requires the interdependence and close collaboration of the host communities and the universities which he referred to as the Town and the Gown.
The gown (University), according to him, are key players in the global knowledge economy, essential participants in the emerging innovation systems and active stakeholders that play a pivotal role in the process of innovation and knowledge commercialisation for the development of the town (community).
The renowned Diplomat said that addressing the Town and Gown symbiosis, it is important that we review the relevance of a university education relative to Innovation.
The Professor of Political Science and International Relations, decried a situation where the relationship between the universities and their host communities are parasitic or commensalist.
He described the situation as when the management of universities are indifferent to the interest of host communities in respect of employment, capacity building, information dissemination, corporate social responsibilities.
“This often generates tensions, conflicts, social unrest, and invariably academic disruptions, thereby defeating the attainment of higher education goals.
“In fact, Town and Gown relationships are the true embodiment of the phrase “till death do us part. Recent events around the globe, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have pointed out to us what happens if there’s a rupture in the town-gown relationship.
He urged that the Universities must be cognisant of not isolating themselves but ensure they descend from their ivory tower and engage with the host communities, build inroads and embrace them with open arms.
The communities on the other hand, he said, should also understand the enormous responsibilities that comes with playing host to a very diverse group of people young and old.
