Research at KWASUED
Kwara State University of Education (KWASUED) prioritizes research as a cornerstone of its academic excellence and societal impact. The University is dedicated to fostering a vibrant research culture that enhances teaching quality, addresses critical educational challenges, and contributes to national and international development. KWASUED is committed to supporting research endeavors by providing a conducive research environment, access to resources, and funding opportunities.
Research Philosophy
KWASUED’s research philosophy centers on excellence driven by the quest for knowledge, well-rounded development, and service. The University aims to:
- Satisfy the individual researcher's need for recognition and self-development.
- Fulfill the University’s need for growth and development.
- Meet society's needs for sustainable social and economic transformation.
Research Objectives
The University’s research objectives reflect its commitment to promoting a research-driven environment and addressing the needs of various stakeholders:
- Ensure the conduct of excellent, top-notch, and cutting-edge research by providing an excellent research environment with world-class facilities and access to prestigious national and international publications for research dissemination.
- Encourage all academic staff to engage in result-oriented research activities in their areas of specialization, particularly those aligned with the University’s priorities and relevant to national and international needs.
- Emphasize proper orientation in research and research methodology in student training, equipping students with tools for defining and solving problems.
- Develop and share a research agenda document outlining the University’s research priorities and areas of interest.
- Ensure effective communication with the public to incorporate the needs of society and industries into the research agenda.
- Support research as the foundation for the growth and development of the University’s academic programs.
- Initiate and promote research linkages with institutions and agencies (including industry, community, public service, and professional organizations) within and outside Nigeria.
Research Focus
KWASUED focuses on basic, applied, and collaborative research.
- Basic research is encouraged to support teaching and learning and allows individual staff and students to fulfill their academic potentials.
- The University actively engages in applied research to address problems in the immediate environment (community) and the country, improving teacher education quality in Kwara State and Nigeria.
- Collaborative research, both formal and informal, with institutions and industries within and outside Nigeria, is encouraged to enhance research capacity and resource sharing.
Research Funding
Recognizing that meaningful research is resource-intensive, KWASUED is committed to providing adequate funding for research and development:
- The University commits 2.5% of its annual recurrent expenditure to research, in addition to funds generated through research marketing and collaborations.
- KWASUED actively solicits funds and collaborations from international funding agencies, industrial concerns, public and private organizations, and philanthropists.
- Linkages and partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations and sister institutions, locally and internationally, generate additional research funds.
- Parts of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the University’s projects and consultancy services fund research activities.
- KWASUED trains and encourages staff to submit competitive grant-winning proposals to various funding agencies globally to support individual and collaborative research.
Research Funds Administration
A robust research administration mechanism regulates research funding and utilization:
- A Research and Grants Committee scrutinizes research grant applications to external agencies, prioritizing proposals aligned with the University’s core areas of expertise, staff expertise, community needs, and national benefits.
- Research committees at the faculty and departmental levels ensure high-quality research proposals are recommended to the Research and Grants Committee.
Organized Research Units
KWASUED is establishing organized research units focused on specific areas of specialization to enhance research efforts and outputs. External collaborations and support from government and international agencies are sought for establishing research centers.
Performance Audit
KWASUED conducts performance audits to evaluate its research activities, focusing on economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. The audit examines research output, funding, staff engagement, and collaborations to ensure research aligns with the University’s strategic goals.
Commitment to Research Excellence
- Providing a conducive research environment
- Offering competitive research grants
- Encouraging collaborations
- Supporting the publication and dissemination of research findings
KWASUED’s research initiatives are instrumental in developing innovative solutions to educational challenges and promoting evidence-based practices in teaching and learning, ultimately contributing to the advancement of education in Kwara State and beyond.