At the Commonwealth Institute Universities Leaders Conference held recently in Lagos, university administrators, financial experts and education strategists explored practical ways institutions can diversify revenue sources, strengthen alumni engagement, commercialise research and build strategic partnerships capable of sustaining quality higher education. Funmi Ogundare reports
For two days, vice-chancellors, pro-chancellors and registrars from federal, state and private universities across the country, as well as financial experts and education strategists, recently converged on the Golf View Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, for the Commonwealth Institute Universities Leaders Conference.
Themed ‘Funding and Revenue Generation for Universities’, the conference organised by the Commonwealth Institute had the objective of deliberating on sustainable funding strategies and innovation for higher institutions in Nigeria, as well as strengthening the university systems at a time when institutions face mounting financial pressures, regulatory demands, and global competition.
Discussions at the conference also focused on international student recruitment, donor attraction, and alternative sources of income for universities, among other topics. In his remarks, a professor of Strategic Development and Director of the Commonwealth Institute, Anthony Kila, called on Nigerian universities to rethink their relationship with students and alumni as part of efforts to strengthen endowment funding and diversify revenue generation.
