Classroom to Global Impact
CSC322 - Diaspora-Enabled Research, Innovation and Academic Capacity Development (DERIACD)
Instructor: Prof. Kennedy Okafor
Last Updated: 05-10-2026 | Language: English
What you'll learn
- ✔ Strengthen the quality, visibility, and impact of their research publications.
- ✔ Apply effective academic writing techniques for high-impact journals.
- ✔ Develop competitive and fundable research proposals.
- ✔ Understand the key elements of successful grant applications and reviewer expectations.
- ✔ Identify appropriate funding opportunities and build sustainable research collaborations.
Free
Who this course is for
- Academic staff in Nigerian universities and polytechnics
- Researchers in public and private research institutes
- Postgraduate students (MSc/PhD)
- University research administrators and innovation officers
- STEM-M educators and curriculum developers
Related CCMAS Courses
This seminar is relevant to the following courses in the NUC Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS).
Seminar Class Schedule
9th July 2026 to 29th August 2026
Mon - 10:00 AM WAT | Tue - 10:00 AM WAT | Wed - 10:00 AM WAT | Thu - 10:00 AM WAT | Fri - 10:00 AM WAT
All times are in West African Time (WAT, UTC+1).
Lecture dates (11 lectures)
-
Jul
18
Sat
MODULE 1: Research Excellence & Academic Writing
Saturday, 18th July 2026 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Jul
25
Sat
MODULE 2: Grant Writing & Research Funding
Saturday, 25th July 2026 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
01
Sat
MODULE 3: Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies in Research
Saturday, 1st August 2026 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
01
Sat
MODULE 5: Teaching Excellence & Curriculum Modernisation
Saturday, 1st August 2026 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
07
Fri
MODULE 7: Scientific Writing, Communication & Visibility
Friday, 7th August 2026 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
08
Sat
MODULE 4: Innovation, Commercialisation & Industry Linkage
Saturday, 8th August 2026 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
10
Mon
MODULE 6: Data Science, Computing & Digital Transformation
Monday, 10th August 2026 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
11
Tue
MODULE 8: Collaboration, Networks & Global Engagement
Tuesday, 11th August 2026 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
12
Wed
MODULE 9: Leadership, Research Management & Institutional Growth
Wednesday, 12th August 2026 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Aug
22
Sat
Publishing High-Impact Journals – Part II
Saturday, 22nd August 2026 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM WAT Zoom Held
-
Sep
02
Wed
MODULE 10: STEM-M Capacity Building & Future Skills NB: STEM-M = Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine /Medical Sciences / Health-related disciplines.
Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM WAT Zoom Held
Course Content
Description
The Diaspora BRIDGE Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education aims to strengthen Nigerian academia through structured engagement with global experts, particularly members of the Nigerian diaspora. This proposed DERIACD is designed to translate this vision into practical academic transformation across Nigerian/African universities and research institutes.
The programme will provide targeted capacity development in research excellence, innovation systems, modern teaching methodologies, and industry collaboration frameworks. It will also establish sustainable pathways for knowledge transfer, joint research, funding access, and global academic networking.
By leveraging diaspora expertise, the initiative seeks to close critical gaps in learning and research, enhance institutional competitiveness, and position Nigerian universities for improved global ranking and impact.
NB: This will be specifically for UKRI, Horizon Europe, NIHR, Royal Society, Wellcome Trust, or African research funding audiences!!
The idea is to translate innovative research ideas into fundable projects with societal, industrial, and policy impact.