The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Nigeria has resolved to partner Bowen University, Iwo on research, training and capacity building.
The decision was made at an interactive meeting held by the management of the two organisations in, Ibadan.
Speaking at a recent meeting, IITA Deputy Director-General, Dr. Kenton Dashiell, who received the Bowen University management team led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Timothy Olagbemiro, asserted that the partnership agreement had become necessary to boost each other’s efforts in the production of quality food through research and capacity development in Nigeria.
According to him, IITA is set to open its doors to Bowen University’s lecturers and students for research and training within the institute’s research portfolio policies.
Olagbemiro expressed satisfaction at the fresh research partnership agreement being reached by the two bodies, saying that it would amount to a mutual benefit between the institute and the university.
He also thanked the IITA’s management for the over 3,000 text books it donated to the university recently.
Dashiell described IITA as one of the world’s leading research partners in finding solutions to hunger, malnutrition, and poverty, saying its award-winning research for development (R4D) addresses the development needs of tropical countries, while working with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture.
Besides, he noted that IITA used the R4D model in setting a research course that addresses major development problems in Africa rather than simply contributing to scientific knowledge.