By Abigail Philip David
The University of Abuja has awarded a total of N5.45 million in research grants to six undergraduate student teams, marking the largest grant disbursement since the initiative began. The grants, aimed at encouraging impactful research among young scholars, were presented during the university’s 6th Undergraduate Research Day on Tuesday, organized by the Centre for Undergraduate Research.
In her speech at the event, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aisha Maikudi emphasized the importance of research in tackling national challenges and driving development.
“At the University of Abuja, we are committed to fostering an environment where curiosity, creativity, and innovation can thrive to generate solutions for societal issues,” Maikudi said. She urged students to leverage research as a tool for societal transformation, adding that the theme of the event, “Promoting National Development Through Research,” reflects the university’s vision for purpose-driven inquiry.
Prof. Maikudi also praised the Centre for Undergraduate Research for its efforts and assured that the university would continue to support such initiatives, which help students develop into leaders and changemakers in various fields.
Prof. Taibat Atoyebi, Director of the Centre, outlined the selection process for the grants. She explained that 20 student teams initially expressed interest, and 13 were shortlisted to submit research proposals. After oral defenses, six teams were selected to receive the grants based on the originality, sustainability, and feasibility of their projects.
The funded projects include:
– Bioactive Compounds from K. pinnata and J. tanjorensis: Isolation, Characterisation, and Evaluation of Anti-anaemic and Hepatoprotective Effects in Rats
– Assessment of Biosafety and Waste Management Practices in Abattoirs in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
– Application of Vermitechnology in Solid Waste Management and Sustainable Agriculture
– Evaluating the Phytochemicals and Antidiabetic Properties of Curry Leaves
– Using AI and ML to Model Energy Consumption in University of Abuja’s Students’ Hostels: A Macroeconomic Approach
– Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Calopogonium Mucunoides and Mitracarpus Species (Rubiaceae) Against Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae
The research grants are expected to support these innovative projects, contributing to the advancement of knowledge and solutions in various fields of study.
