By Uchenna Eletuo
The Nigerian Young Academy (NYA) has urged scientists to collaborate across disciplines to conduct research capable of solving societal challenges and improving human well-being.
The President of NYA, Prof. Temitope Onuminya, gave the advice at the academy’s 16th Anniversary Conference and General Assembly held at the Lagos State University, Ojo.
The conference has with the theme: “Convergent Research for Global Impact: Integrating Knowledge Innovation and Policy”.
Onuminya spoke against the backdrop of scientists/researchers working in silos and disciplinary boundaries with less impact on society.
She said that such collaboration was for scientists/researchers to close ranks toward achieving desired goals.
According to her, the academy that begun as a vision has grown into a vibrant community committed to research excellence.
“Inter disciplinary engagements, mentorship and collaboration toward issues and solutions of national developments has remained NYA’s focal point.
“Our theme today challenges us further to transend boundaries, transform knowledge generated in our institutions into innovations, policies and practical solutions that improves life,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NYA was inaugurated on Aug. 30, 2010 at the instance of the Global Young Academy by the Nigerian Academy of Science as a platform for brilliant researchers below 45 years.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Lagos State, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described research as an instrument of national development, urging young researchers to expand their horizon and tailor their outcomes toward enhancing humanity.
Abayomi, represented by Prof. Tuoyo Okoturo, the Head, Dental Centre, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), charged the academy to bring more young professionals into the fold for an even human centred outputs.
He said that NYA represented the silence spirit of Nigeria’s researchers that entailed dismantling disciplinary boundaries to collaborate with others in research, aimed at achieving and promoting ideas for the common good.
According to him, the future belongs to societies that integrate research for the transformation of society.
“Development of local relevant solutions to social challenges drives jobs creation, industrial development, vibrant community enterprise and foreign investment.
“Conscious efforts should be made by members to exhibit disciplinary convergence to tropicalised research solutions and findings toward domestic challenges, for the body to remain relevant,” he said.
He tasked the academy to collaborate in finding solutions to potential crisis in climate change, health, transport, food insecurity, housing deficit, disease resistance to drugs and misinformation.
Also speaking, the President, Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof. Abubakar Sambo, urged the new entrants in the academy to sustain the tempo of brilliance in scientific research that qualified them to the body.
Sambo, said that Nigeria and African environment hold a lot of opportunities for researchers inclined to an inward inquiring into the unknown.
He encouraged researchers to refrain from working in silos but to work in collaboration with counterparts in other areas to achieve desired goals to develop the society.
He also urged them to carry other younger researchers along for a flow of fresh ideas.
Also, Prof. Oluwole Familoni, a former Deputy Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, said that social challenges do not inclose in one discipline, hence, charged researchers to widen their scope for better results.
Familoni said that scientific creativity meant seeing relationships where others see boundaries.
“It means asking questions others have not thought to ask. It means imaging solutions that do not yet exist.
“A Chemist sees a molecule, a physician sees a disease, an engineer sees a device, a data scientist sees a pattern while a patient sees the lived problem,” he said.
The conference brought together researchers, academics, industry leaders, policymakers and the civil society to explore and integrate insights from all disciplines for development.
To commemorate its 16th anniversary, the academy inducted seven new researchers.
They included Dr Shitu Abubakar, Dr John Simon; Dr Sulaimon Femi-Abimbade; Dr Hameed Akande-Bashiru; Dr Mobolaji Adenike-Titilawo; Dr Eli Danladi, and Dr Funmilola Adebisi-Oluwafemi. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Florence Onuegbu