As part of the University of Ibadan deliberate effort to improve interdisciplinary research and institutional collaboration, the Vice Chancellor of the institution Professor Abel Idowu Olayinka, on Saturday 9th September 2017 played host to a team of biotech experts from Thailand in his office.
According to information gathered by CEOAfrica, the VC while receiving the experts: Dr Sumalee Kamachonwongpaisan, the Director of Medical Molecular Biology, Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand and Dr Chaira Uthaipibull, a Principal Researcher and Head, Protein Ligang-Engineering and Molecular Biology Laboratory, National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Thailand, said that University of Ibadan is committed to multi-disciplinary research to solving societal challenges stressing that ’’In most cases, we are solving the same problem at the same time from different disciplines.’’
Prof. Olayinka disclosed that the institution will deepen the existing relationship to institutional collaboration. He enjoined the team to ‘’critically look into areas of good funding and excellent human resources.’’
Prof. Olusola Gbotosho, the Head, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, who facilitated the visit, explained that the visit was to expand the existing collaboration between the two institutions with the optimism to establishing a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
She noted that the team had a robust and comprehensive interaction with the Dean of the University Postgraduate School, Prof. Jonathan Babalola, immediate Past Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy and Director, Centre for Drug Discovery, Development and Production (CDDDP), Prof. Chinedum P. Babalola and some students yesterday.
Responding , Dr Sumalee Kamachonwongpaisan, informed the VC that the Biotechnology centre Thailand was established in 1983 and ‘’it is an autonomous government body which serves as an effective channel for technology development and transfer, supporting the industrial, agricultural, ecological, economic and social development of Thailand.
Present at the occasion were Prof. Oderinde, MacArthor Grant Officer (MGLO); Dr Keye Abiona, Deputy Dean of Students; Mr Olatunji Oladejo, Director, of Public Communication; Mr Debo Adeosun Director, University Advancement Centre; Dr Oyin Abiodun, Senior Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology; Dr Olugbenga Akionla, Researcher Fellow, Malaria Research Laboratory, University of Ibadan and Lecturer, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, University of Ibadan and Dr Temitope Aderroyeje, Resident, Clinical Pharmacology, University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan