ACETEL, Elsevier Discuss Capacity Building Mechanisms For Staff, Students

By ExCorp

July 4, 2023

The Africa Centre of Excellence on Technology Enhanced Learning (ACETEL) and Elsevier Company, a global information analytics giant, have discussed a working partnership to train and empower students and staff with the skills and resources necessary to conduct high-quality research, share knowledge and access external funding opportunities.

The meeting, held on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the University Librarian’s office, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) headquarters, Abuja, had the Librarian, Dr. Okpala Angela Ebele, Elsevier Area Manager, Egypt and North-East Africa, Khalid Salam, Elsevier Regional Manager, Sub-Sahara Africa, Victor Okeugo, Elsevier Commercial Rep., Nigeria, Ibrahim Usman and ACETEL’s director, Prof. Grace E. Jokthan, in attendance.

Jokthan, while speaking to the Elsevier team, said the partnership is required to enhance the capacity of students and staff to source materials for research in high-impact journal publications. She said it is also expected to enhance research, knowledge sharing and the ability to secure grants from international donors.

According to reports, some of the objectives highlighted at the meeting aimed at improving the skills and abilities of students and staff members in finding and accessing relevant materials for their research.

It also highlighted the area of building capacity to make individuals more proficient in identifying and gathering appropriate sources, such as scholarly articles, studies and other relevant information from reputable and high impact journals.

The objectives also focused on broader outcomes related to research and funding opportunities, as the ability to source grants from international donors gives individuals an increased likelihood of securing funding for their research endeavours, thereby enabling them to pursue ambitious projects and make greater contributions to their fields.

Elsevier, as a global information analytics company, helps researchers make new discoveries, collaborate with their colleagues and gain the knowledge they need to find funding. The company also helps governments and universities evaluate and improve their research strategies.