“Institutional Mecahnisms for Research

Institutions/Industry Linkages: Feasibility Study of

Obafemi Awolowo University Knowledge Park”

Mike O. Faborode
Vice Chancellor,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

A Presentation at the
FMST 2010 Science and Technology Summit, Abuja

9-10 August 2010

APPROACH TO THE MAIN GATE FROM IBADAN-IFE
EXPRESS WAY
 OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

OAU S&T Historical Landmarks

From Science & Tech Park to KNOWLEDGE PARK

Other Reinforcing Developments

Way Forward for Science Park Development in Nigeria:

Collaboration among Cognate Stakeholders
 OAU S&T HISTORICAL LANDMARKS:

•1962 – OAU established

•1970 – Faculty of Technology
•1970 - Faculty of Science
•1974 – Technology Planning and Dev Unit (TPDU) established. Also
Central Technological Laboratories and Workshops (CTLW)
•1982 – Institute of Ecology and Environmental Studies (IEES)
•1999 – Central Science Laboratory (CSL)
•2008 – Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer Office (IPTTO)

Other S&T Related Centres in OAU:

•National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM)
•Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD)
• Centre for Industrial Research and Development (CIRD)
• Drup Research and Production Unit (DRPU)
•Regional Center for Aerospace Survey (RECTAS)
THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY OCCUPIES OVER 11,800
HECTARES OF LAND WITH PERFECT LANDSCAPE TO
HOUSE A 21ST CENTURY KNOWLEDGE DRIVEN
INSTITUTION
TEACHING & RESEARCH FARM

STAFF QUARTERS

COMMERCIAL FARM

CENTRAL ACADEMIC &

STUDENTS RESIDENTIAL AREA

NACETEM, RECTAS,
UNIVERSITY PRESS, etc

UNIVERSITY DAM

WORKS & MAINTENANCE

IFE-IBADAN EXPRESS WAY

 GENERAL LAYOUT OF OBAFEMI AWOLOWO
UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE MAIN CAMPUS

ACEDEMIC
COMMUNAL
RESIDENTIAL

From inception the

sprawling estate was
well planned for
academic, communal
and residential
purposes, with
foresight for expansion

LESS THAN 50 % OF ITS LAND MASS IS CURRENTLY OCCUPIED

 CONCEPTION OF OAU S&T PARK

•Right from inception of the University

- 11,804 ha of land a deliberate asset

•Actualized on paper in 1996

•Carnegie Corporation funding from 2003 supports S&T initiative

• ICT Development identified and supported as strategic focus
• Computer Engineering Lab established
• Central Science Lab supported

• S&T Park included in 2004-2008 Strategic Plan

•OAU TechExcel Foundation commits to developing a Research

Park
Leveraging University-Industry Partnership

Universities and other institutions of higher learning are key players in domesticating
knowledge and diffusing it into the economy, but this they can only accomplish
through close linkages with the private sector. This will require major adjustments in
the way our universities function, as has happened in some other parts of the
developing world. Our universities will need to transform from conventional sources
of graduates into engines of community development or into sources of the
technological armies of development. In other words, our universities will need to
become “developmental universities,” working directly within the communities in
which they are located.

S&T PARK IS A VERITABLE TOOL FOR BRIDGING THE GAP !!!

HCRAESE R

SEI NAP MOC ET AVI R

Symbiotic relationship between academia and industry should
encourage local initiatives, generate jobs and stimulate economy

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT OF RESEARCH PARK

RESEARCH PARK
COMMUNITY GENERETING INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY

Commercial-
Growth of Creation of
Ization of
Existing New
Intellectual
Companies Companies
Property

Generation of Jobs and Income

NATIONAL ECONOMY
Source: Battelle (2007) Technology Partnership Practice Report ; PWC Analysis(2009)
 ABOUT PARKS

The European Commission introduced a differentiation between a research park and a

technology park

• A research park is usually located close to one or more universities or academic and research institutions.
Its emphasis is on research rather than development. The key is academic/research liaison at the leading
edge of science and technology. Normally production plants are precluded.

• A science park is a business support and technology transfer initiative that has formal and operational links
with centers of knowledge creation such as universities, higher education institutes and research organizations.

• A technology park is a development to accommodate companies engaged in the commercial application of

high technology. This includes R&D, production sales and servicing activities. It is distinguished from
science and research parks because of a greater emphasis on production.

• Nomenclature of parks vary among countries. In the United States, technology park, research park or
research and technology park are frequently used, science park is popular in Europe while technopole is
widely used in France.

Source: European Commission (2008)

Industrial Parks are more concerned with commercial development than with research

ALL PARKS HAVE THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES IN COMMON

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE RESEARCH

ACTIVITIES PARK PARK PARK PARK

Advanced infrastructure and services

to tenant companies
X X X X

Talent development X X X X

Concentration of producers
Of high-tech products and services
X X X X

Institutional cooperation between

government, university and industry
X X X X

Enabling environment needed to startup

When ‘spun-out’
X X X X

Source: PWC Analysis (2009)

 HT WO R G CI MO N O C E/ L AI R
PARK DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE WORLD: A challenge for Nigeria???

CONTINENTAL DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION

OF PARKS OF PARKS IN AFRICA THERE IS
STRONG
Asia 238 South Africa 5 RELATIONS-
? HIP
Europe 228 Egypt 3 BETWEEN
NUMBER
North America 200 Tunisia 3
OF
Africa 19 Morocco 3
PARKS
AND
Australia 10 Nigeria 1 GROWTH OF
A NATION
Middle East 7 Zimbabwe 1
COINCIDENCE
Latin America 7 Madagascar 1 OR
CONSIQUENCE
TOTAL 709 Rwanda 1
?
Senegal 1
 OTF-PARK DEVELOPMENT AT
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE
THE FIRST UNIVERSITY/INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE IN NIGERIA

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY

O =
FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY CENTER
T = OF EXCELLENCE

F = FOUNDATION

THE OTF HAS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS

COMPRISING OF CAPTAINS OF INDUSTRY AND
OAU-BASED ACADEMICS
 MEMBERSHIP OF OTF BOARD
Engr. (Dr.) Ralph Alabi (late) - Pioneer Chairman
Immediate Past Chairman of Guiness, Nigeria

Prince Bambo Ademiluyi - Chairman

Professor Michael O. Faborode - Patron/Member
Justice Fati L. Abubakar - Member
Professor T.A Kuku - Member
Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN) - Member
Mrs. Florence Seriki - Member
Engr. Olu Awoyinfa - Member
Mr. Demola Aladekomo - Member
Prince Tunde Ponle - Member
Mr. Babajide Ohu - Secretary to Board
Engr. Dele Sanni - Observer
Engr. (Dr.) Sola Aderounmu - Observer
STRATEGIC ACTIONS ALREADY TAKEN BY OTF BOARD
TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE SCIENCE PARK AGENDA
JULY 2008: INAUGURATION OF IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE

JULY 2008: Five Consulting Firms Invited to Tender for:

•Pre-feasibility study for OTF-Park
•Feasibility study for OTF Park Development
•Business Strategic Plan for OTF Park Development

OCTOBER 2008: PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited (PWC)

Selected to Execute the Project

NOVEMBER 2008: $ 190,000 (US) Raised for the Project

MAY 2009: PWC Commenced Work

AUGUST/SEPT. 2009: Draft Reports Ready

STRATEGIC MECHANISMS BY THE OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY
TOWARDS A UNIVERSITY-BASED S&T PARK

Provision 200 Hectares of Land Space on which to

Build the OTF Park
Sensitization & mobilization of ALL University and
Faculty of Technology Staff
Training of Relevant Faculty Members on
Science Park Governance.
Faculty of Technology Hall of Fame Awards

Increasing OAU/Industry Linkages

Increased Collaborations with Int. Donor

Agencies, UNESCO, DelPHE, etc.
Increased Partnerships With
Government Agencies, NASENI etc
DRAFT FEASIBILITY REPORTS PREPARED BY PWC

1. PARK PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY REPORT: 74

PAGES
2. HIGH-LEVEL PARK DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY: 84
PAGES
3. PARK PARTNER SELECTION REPORT: 98
PAGES
4. PARK ORGANIZATION DESIGN: 79
PAGES
IMPORTANT COMMITTEES
5. STANDARD OPERATINGFORMED FOR FURTHER WORK 66
PROCEDURES:
PAGES
1.
6. PROJECT COORDINATING
PARK STRATEGIC PLAN: TEAM 82
2. PAGES
PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE
 FROM S&T PARK TO KNOWLEDGE PARK:
OTF Park seeks to achieve synergy between OAU & the Nigerian Industry

•RESOURCES: OTF Park aims to attract, mobilise and focus resources

(human, material & financial) that will maximise the vision & strategic
priorities of the University

•INNOVATION: OTF Park aspires to stimulate creativity and excellence in

research & innovation, serve as a hot-bed of ideas, and expand learning
opportunity for OAU staff, students and allied researchers

•ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: OTF Park will create a nationally recognised

model for commercialization of research & technology to advance the
growth of industry by providing the launch-pad for instigating new firm
start-ups. The goal is to position Ife as a Technology Hub.

The emerging Park [OTF Knowledge Park] will essentially be a hybrid of

different park types
 OAU’s DESTINATION
ON THE MOVE…! TO GREATER HEIGHTS !!
To make OAU a Technology Hub for national
development, &
A globally top rated University
OAU’S KNOWLEDGE PARK SPRINGS FROM AREAS
OF RESEARCH STRENGTH

MOST ATTRACTIVE INDUSTRY CLUSTERS IN WHICH OAU HAS

GREATEST RESEARCH STRENGTH:

•Agriculture/Engineering
•Food and Beverages Basic Components of S&T
•Phamaceuticals Parks around the world
•ICT

•Arts and Culture ???????????????

KNOWLEDGE PARKS HAVE A PLETHORA OF USES
CAPTURING THE BODY OF KNOWLEDGE IN WHICH OAU
HAS CAPACITY

Science&Technology Arts/Social Sciences

• Visual art:
•Environmental science
Drawing, painting,
photography
•Agricultural science
• Fine arts
•Biotechnolgy • Legal
•Information technology • Economics
• Literary arts
•Materials engineering
• etc
•etc

Incubation Center, Entrepreneurship training and

Support services
OAU KNOWLEDGE PARK & ARTS: A RARE COMBINATION??

•With increase in mixed activities of parks

across the world, OTF park will be a leading
innovation
•OAU has a reputation in arts, producing
world class artists like, Ibiyinka Olufemi
Alao, Solomon Isekeije, Otobong Nkanga,
etc
•With existing initiatives such as the
museum, printing press, Institute of
cultural studies, and annual celebrations of
Ife International Film Festival, arts can
really combine with S&T in a truly
knowledge driven park
 ARTS IN S&T PARK: A good innovation

•The Arts section of the OTF Park will be

designed to provide clustering
opportunities for artists and organizations
involved in painting, architecture, writing
and other related activities
•The environment in the park will enhance
applied arts with the use of technology
•Some notable features will be:
- Writers den
- Arts gallery
- Sculpture garden
- Digital imaging room
- Painting hall, etc
 OTHER REINFORCING DEVELOPMENTS:

•Development of iLab software & architecture – 1st after MIT

•World Bank Project to further develop ICT infrastructure

•OAU as Step-B Centre of Excellence in Software Engineering

•UNESCO SUPPORT
•S&T Mission to South Africa
•S&T for Sustaionable Development Workshop at OAU, Nov. 2009
•UNESCO-WTA (World Technopoles Association Workshop, Nov 2009 on
Science Park Management in South Korea
•UNESCO Science Policy Workshop May 2010, Paris, France
 2009 UNESCO-WTA International Training
Workshop
On Science Park Governance: 11-14 Nov. 2009
Daedeok Innopolis, Daejeon, KOREA
 LESSONS FROM SOUTH KOREA
2009 UNESCO-WTA Training Workshop

•South Korea alone has FIVE functional Research Parks

•88% of Research Parks in Asia are in Japan and China
•Today, Japan and China are superpowers in Science
and Technology Development
•Korea is one of the smallest countries in the world, but
it is technologically advanced
•Korea is the base of World Technopolis Association
(WTA), and remains a leader in S&T
•WTA holds International conferences on Research Park
Development annually and OAU is already joining
WHAT LESSONS FOR NIGERIA?: Developing Indigenous Technological Capability

PRODUCER NATION

CONSUMER NATION

ICT Terminals from China

ICT Terminals from Great Ife !

OAU-CHAMS PERTNERSHIP IN S&T IS VERY STRONG TODAY!!!!!!!!!

WHAT LESSONS FOR NIGERIA: USE TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE LIVELIHOOD

GARRI ROASTED
PALM
PLANTAIN
NUTS
 PROPOSED FUTURE DISTRIBUTION OF SCIENCE PARKS
IN NIGERIA, BASED ON INNOVATION CLUSTERS ANALYSIS
E
IF
M E-
O
ZONE LOCATION R L
F ,I
South-West **Osun State (Osogbo) E TY
V
I SI
R
South-South Delta State D ER
S IV
South-East Abia State E
T N
U U
North-West Sokoto State IN O
M W
5 O
North-East Adamawa State 2 O LGREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR
I S W GOVERNMENT-
North-Central Benue State A
O
B MI
UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY
G PARTNERSHIP IN S&T
O FE
S A PARK DEVELOPMENT IN
O B OSUN STATE
O
 WAY FORWARD IN SCIENCE PARKS
DEVELOPMENT
IN NIGERIA

In light of the ETF plan to establish the 6

target universities as CoEx in Science Policy
and development, it will be necessary to allign
this new vision with the above proposition.

How many federally-initiated PARKS do we

need in Nigeria?

What type of Parks ?

Should the 6 universities aspire to develop

Thank you for your attention