FUNAI & TSU:A New Model for International Co-operation and Co-development

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1 FUNAI & TSU:A New Model for International Co-operation and Co-development David Olowokere Ph.D., P.E. Professor and Chair Department of Engineering Technology (Interim Chair, Department of Aviation Science & Technology) (Director, TSU institute for Computational Science and Engineering) Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas

2 Texas Southern University Founded in 1947 Houston s second largest university Emerging research institution Comprehensive University with full range of professional schools to PhD level 10,000 students and 800 academic staff

3 Some Facts on City of Houston Fourth largest city in the United States The Port of Houston is the second-largest port in the United States It ranks eighth worldwide. Major Industries - energy, petrochemical, medical, and space industries. The oil and gas capital of the world.

4 Some Facts on City of Houston/Cont. A major center of applied technology - the engineering and technical skills needed to use high technology. More than $1.3 billion in construction planned for Houston's downtown business district alone. The Texas Medical Center (largest in the world) employs approx. 50,000 doctors, scientists, researchers, technicians and nurses. More than $2 billion in research grants have been awarded to Texas Medical Center institutions in the past five years alone.

5 VISION OF TSU ON FUNAI-TSU PARTNERSHIP To be the key international institution which will continually work in partnership with all FUNAI stakeholders. Achieve a high-quality educational pedagogy and research activities. Assurance that FUNAI will produce globally competitive graduates, and conduct world class research relevant to Nigeria national development.

6 PRMARY OBJECTIVES OF FUNAI TSU PARTNERSHIP Identify areas for collaborative research and initiate joint research Exchange professors, research staff and postgrad. students Provide professional development opportunities Exchange materials, publications and information. Other collaborations of mutual benefit such as: Teaching and professional development Research collaboration Enrolling FUNAI graduate students in degree programs at TSU, and Community projects of research interest.

7 CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTNERSHIP MOU Continuous revision Well defined with time lines Measurable deliverables Shared responsibilities Impact: local and International, bilateral and multilateral

8 CHARACTERISTICS OF PARTNERSHIP/CON T FUNAI role model Aligning mission and interests - Opportunity for professional experience - Expanding the network - A focus on personal development A genuine interest in partnership

9 PHASE I: INVESTING Investment in Human Capital from Day 1 Sending young faculty to TSU for Ph.D. and MBA programs Recently, 2 faculty (from University of Lagos, and Federal University of Technology at Minna) have completed their PhD. Thesis at TSU under the supervision of TSU faculty. Currently, from Ekiti State University, of a faculty to conduct PhD research in Computational Sustainability FUNAI staff and other FUNAI administrators,

10 PHASE II: ENRICHING TSU faculty Workshops in areas of management: review of curricula, cases, etc School network: trends in management education Adding value to FUNI academic programs Opening opportunities for collaboration Entrepreneurship - Turning creative talent into profitable ventures Joint pursuit of fund from international agencies TSU track record in grantmanship

11 1. Joint TSU-FUNAI committee to provide oversight and monitoring of partnership. 2. Advances in knowledge: New Media, Information Technology, etc 3. Current themes: Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Corporate Governance 4. Opportunities for collaboration in research

12 Benefits have a direct bearing with the sustainability of the partnership. Financial incentives are clearly important. Linking incentives to professional advancement

13 MUTUAL BENEFITS - FOR FUNAI: Exposure to newer and more effective ways of teaching; sharing a collection of quality case studies; alignment with industry needs. - FOR TSU: Experience of Nigerian environments for our visiting faculty and exchange students; using Nigerian cases; new research areas applicable to Nigeria development; making successful contribution to development; enhanced branding 6/12/2013 Professor David Olowokere/TSU-FUNAI

14 MUTUAL BENEFIT AT HIGHER ACADEMIC LEVEL The University s contribution to its mandate of teaching, research and engagement in the global community. Opportunity to continue leading research in areas of global relevance: Sustainability Effects of climate change and Sciences of the environment Robust and innovative science with a practical face, addressing urgent climatic and environmental issues models of economic growth and business sustainability and with an equally important public education role

15 EXAMPLE OF GROWTH THROUGH ACADEMIC COLLABORATION Initiating a FUNAI photovoltaic solar energy technology patterned after TSU Solar farm Project. Initiating a FUNAI algal biodiesel project, patterned after TSU renewable energy lab. Initiating a joint FUNAI-TSU nanotechnology program Initiating a FUNAI-TSU wireless network research. 6/12/2013 Professor David Olowokere/TSU-FUNAI

16 EXAMPLE OF GROWTH THROUGH ACADEMIC COLLABORATION /CON T Advanced materials: Silicon based permeable tubes for plants which retain water and assist their propagation under high stress conditions Improve the efficiency of solar cells through the use of nano-materials Key lab in advanced materials and applied technology.

17 EXAMPLE OF GROWTH THROUGH ACADEMIC COLLABORATION /CON T Life sciences and resource protection Genetic research into specifics of high altitude plants Study of herbal medicine and treatments altitude sickness anti-cancer effects High altitude medical research Protection and utilisation of wild plants.

18 Insistence on local commitment: building trust and sharing vision Negotiation of upfront investment in time and money Alleviating high transaction costs Practice of signing and then negotiating

19 I submit that we get this partnership kicked off, and for the long haul. It s going to be a win-win for all concerned... THANK YOU!