By Chinedu Adonu
Lecturers and other stakeholders in academia have been urged to prioritize high-quality research that will drive efficiency and enhance the economic growth of the nation.
The Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Uchenna Ugwuanyi, made this call during the second edition of International Conference organized by the Faculty and held at the Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah Auditorium.
He stated that collaborations between academia, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and other key development stakeholders would not only enhance economic growth but also promote social development.
Hear him, “This conference is timely. As Africa navigates its development trajectory, we must harness management knowledge, innovation, and research to provide workable solutions to our challenges. When academic minds engage with industry players, the result is progressive, people-centered development.
“This year’s conference theme, ‘Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Management Strategies and Practices for Sustainable Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environmental Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship,’ is particularly relevant.
“The choice of this theme is driven by the urgent need for sustainable development in Africa, where management strategies and practices can play a crucial role in achieving the SDGs.”
Prof. Ugwuanyi also demanded for maximum utilization of ideas harnessed during the conference for the good of the society.
“We expect that the discussions and recommendations emerging from this conference will provide valuable insights into how organizations can adopt sustainable practices, prioritize corporate social responsibility, and promote environmental sustainability, ultimately contributing to the betterment of society. The significance of this conference and its theme cannot be overstated, particularly for Nigerian universities, students, states, industries, and Africa at large.”
In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Aloysius Okolie, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Chike Nwoha, extolled Prof. Ugwuanyi’s leadership, particularly his commitment to academic excellence, capacity building, infrastructural development, and staff welfare.
He stated that the conference would not only contribute to existing scholarship but also proffer viable solutions to critical issues surrounding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa.
“I want to say that we are happy with what our friend and colleague is currently doing in the Faculty of Management Sciences. He has shown leadership both in action and learning, and the management is happy with him. However, the relevance of this conference lies not only in the depth of discourse but in its alignment with the global call for sustainability. We must continue to interrogate our realities and deploy strategic management practices to transform communities across the continent.”
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, described the conference as a noble academic exercise capable of igniting institutional and policy reform, especially when the insights and research findings are properly harnessed.
“Government at all levels must strengthen their relationship with academic institutions. The solutions to many of our economic and social problems already exist in the volumes of research produced in our universities.”
