Professor of Accounting and Finance at the Makerere University Business School, Mbarara Campus, Uganda, Laura Orobia has described research grants as the fulcrum of sustenance of universities and their reckoning on the global scene.                           

Professor Orobia who was Guest Lecturer at a One Day Lecture on Research Grants and Writing in High Impact Journals facilitated by the Directorate of Advancement and Linkages, Plateau State University, Bokkos said the world is fast changing so is the academic circle and this makes research not only an integral part of the ivory tower but an essential element for the survival and relevance of academics.                          She observed that for any research to be relevant in today's world, it must be tailored towards solving problems and must be practical, convincing and directed at influencing the arena of policy formulation. According to her the world is in urgent need of finding solutions to contemporary challenges and academic institutions through their research engagements must provide leadership in that direction.   

Speaking earlier in a goodwill message, Vice Chancellor, Plateau State University, Professor, Yohana Daniel Izam described the lecture as timely adding that university education revolves around the three key functions of teaching, research, and community service. Izam disclosed that Nigeria's Tertiary Education Trust Fund is now shifting its focus to heavier investment in the coming years from infrastructural development to research which is identified as the pivot that would fast track national development. He challenged University administrators and  the academics to sharpen their strategies towards formulation of grant winning research proposals that would proffer solutions to societies problems.

On the inability of the University to access grants from the National Research Fund which provides up to 50 million naira and limited applications for institution based research up to a maximum of 2 million naira, the Vice Chancellor invited all hands to be on deck to change the narative. He commended the Directorate of Research and Advancement of the University for organising the lecture which has addressed one of the key challenges of the University.

Welcoming guests earlier, Director of Advancement and Linkages, Plateau State University,, Re.Fr.Dr.Andrew Dewan thanked the University Management for approving the proposal for the lecture which he regarded as not only being an answer to the research needs of the University but but also an advancement of the relationship between the Plateau State University Bokkos and the Makerere University Uganda.He assured that the Advancement and Linkages Directorate will continue to work towards meeting the objectives of it's establishment. The lecture which drew a cream of the university's academics and some visiting Professors also offered final year students of the University the opportunity to be part of the event to learn the ropes of advanced research and writing in high impact journals.         

John K.Agam.                       Public Relations Officer.