“It is requisite to scale up our strategic plans as a University in this new era. As an institution, we cannot afford to be insensitive to the demands of this challenging period globally,” noted the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adeniyi Olayanju during a retreat organized by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Management, Faculty and Staff of the University on Wednesday, 2nd July 2020. In collaboration with the Landmark University Centre for Research, Innovation and Discoveries (LUCRID), the retreat tagged “Stakeholders’ Meeting on SDGs Exhibition Management Project” was held at the University’s International Exhibition Centre (IEC). The aim of the retreat, according to the Vice-Chancellor, was to adequately situate the SDGs in line with the vision of the University thereby moving her to global limelight and relevance. 

In his address to the University community, the Vice-Chancellor noted the importance of driving the SDGs in the University system which informed allocation of thematic responsibilities to the University’s research clusters in line with the globally flagged SDGs. “Therefore, all research and publications under the clusters should capture the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This development will ensure full participation and collaborations among faculty of different colleges. When it comes to research, no department, college nor institution can be an island, it has to be a collaborative effort,” he added. Professor Olayanju, therefore, urged members of faculty to fully participate in the research group formation and network such that a faculty can belong to a minimum of one cluster and maximum of three. 

Hitting the ground running, 17 team leads for the SDGs research clusters were inaugurated with emphasis to drive quality research, publications, grants, community development and global relevance. Professor Olayanju charged them to work in tandem with the vision of the institution and also deploy an innovative approach to discharging their duties. He also admonished them to carry out the assignments not as position occupiers but as a pilot whose destination cannot be compromised. He disclosed that Landmark as an institution is prepared for the post-COVID new normal by maximizing her ICT facilities and expertise in teaching, research, administration, and operations. Professor Olayanju further reinstated the commitment of the management to providing a platform for the development of all faculty and staff in the ‘new normal’ era in order to make them relevant to the system. 

Commenting on the dynamics of research engagements in which administrative support is crucial, the Registrar, Miss Fola Oyinloye, ably represented by Mr Sam Dare, applauded the goal-driven research agenda of the University and flexible formation of research clusters reflecting the SDGs which allow for concerted participation across faculty and staff. She therefore encouraged all members of the University community to avail themselves of the platform provided towards realizing the vision of the University. 

In his remarks, the Director Financial Services, Mr Dare Fadoju assured the staff of the Directorate’s cooperation. He noted that as professional in the financial arm of the institution, the clusters would be properly guided and supported for the seamless realization of the vision. He added that the worth of the retreat could not be quantified as it was sensitive to all fields. “Our research should tilt towards generating formidable internally generated revenue (IGR). By now, we should work on ways to generate income for the institution, especially at the present moment due to the emergence of COVID-19,” he added. 

Other highlights of the retreat were a facility tour of the International Exhibition Centre (IEC) and the introduction of the International Linkage and Grant Office amongst others.