Gabriel Enenche —
Professionals under the umbrella body, Association of Builders in Academia (ABA), have urged its members to ensure development of research products that will affect the housing sector positively. Prof. Martin Dada, Chairman of the association, gave the advice over the weekend at the maiden edition of its virtual forum consisting of educators, researchers in different areas of the Built industry. The forum was titled ‘Advancing Research and Professionalism in Building’.
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In his opening remarks, the Chairman stressed that through impactful intellectual contributions, members would enhance the society academically and professionally at both national and global levels, through research, publications and mentoring of upcoming academics.
Prof. Kabir Bala who is the Chairman, of Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), and also, the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria challenged the participants to be poised towards high quality research output.
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Bala said that stakeholders have come to realise that research outputs and publications are better judged on the basis of quality rather than quantity. Bala noted that identifying problems to be solved in research was fundamental, central and key to all research endeavours.
According to him, accompanying methodology are mechanical and ancillary issues. He emphasised sourcing of research grants as ways to augment the traditional but insufficient funding windows available to universities.
He advanced that efforts and attention should be focused on educating members on accessing grants for research purposes.