Universities must commercialise research findings — FUTA VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adenike Oladiji, has urged the Federal Government and industry players to prioritise the commercialisation of research findings to address national challenges and drive economic development.

Oladiji made the call as lecturers, scientists and researchers from various universities converged on the institution for a three-day Green Microbiology Global Summit focused on exploring the industrial applications of microorganisms.

The summit, held between Thursday and Saturday, examined how research on microorganisms could be harnessed for food production, environmental sustainability, healthcare and other areas of human development.

Oladiji said universities must move beyond producing research papers to developing products and services that could improve lives and contribute to national growth.

She said, “Our mandate is teaching and research. How we can bring out quality products that can be commercialised and impact the situation of the country is important.”

In a communique made available to our correspondent on Monday, participants at the summit stressed the need for stronger collaboration and funding from government and relevant stakeholders to translate research outcomes into practical solutions.

The convener of the summit, Dr Adenike Akinsemolu, said the initiative was aimed at changing the perception that microorganisms were only harmful to humans.

Akinsemolu explained that while microbes had often been associated with diseases such as COVID-19, tuberculosis and typhoid, only a small percentage of microorganisms were harmful, while the majority had beneficial applications.

She said products such as pap, garri and yoghurt were produced through fermentation processes involving microorganisms, adding that green microbiology focused on exploring the positive roles of microbes in improving food systems, protecting ecosystems and maintaining environmental balance.

“The purpose of this summit is to focus on the positive impacts of microorganisms. We are pioneering a new field called Green Microbiology, which examines how microorganisms, things we cannot see with our naked eyes, can help us improve our food, protect our ecosystems and maintain balance in the environment,” she said.

Akinsemolu said the summit brought together university students, secondary school students, academics, industry players and policymakers to create awareness about the emerging field.

She added that the Society for Green Microbiology was established to provide a platform for professionals, policymakers, industry players and businesses to collaborate and ensure the development and regulation of practices in the field.

“The green microbiology lab is strictly for entrepreneurial purposes. How can microorganisms contribute to national development and sustainable development? That is what green microbiology is about. So this conference is just to educate people and then from education we move right into action,” she said.

The Head of the Department of Microbiology, FUTA, Prof. Arotunpin Daniel said the success of research depended on the ability to transform findings into products and services that could solve societal problems.

He called for partnerships and funding support to enable researchers to move innovations from laboratories to the wider society.

“It is one thing to come out with research findings; it is another thing to translate them into products or services that can solve human problems. We need collaboration, funding and agencies that can partner with researchers so that we can take whatever we come up with to the larger society,” he said.

Daniel said the summit was focused on exploring how microorganisms could be applied to improve human existence, solve societal problems and promote environmental sustainability.

He added that green microbiology could contribute to conservation efforts by harnessing the principles of microorganisms for sustainable development.