Although the University has been involved in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) activities for years, official documentation of the 17 United Nations SDGs commenced on 28th August, 2023, following the Vice Chancellor’s approval of the SDG Team leads.
Partnerships in Bells University of Technology, Ota
The University employs strategic partnership as part of its efforts toward realising is vision. Following series of enlightenment seminars and symposia, SDG team leads were produced to drive sustainable development in all relevant sectors of the university vision, encouraging partnership at both local and international scopes. Academic and non- academic staff were grouped to the 17 SDGs (Fig. 1) according to their area of specialisation.
Fig 1. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Coordination of Sustainable Development Activities by the SDG Team Leads
Team leads were appointed for each SDG (Fig 2 and Table 1) who were enlightened to coordinate SDG activities including encouragement and documentation of community services, and facilitating research publication in high impact outlets, with emphasis on internationalisation, glocalization, multidisciplinary research, seeking grants for projects and research, international partnership and various other related areas.
Table 1. Bells University SDG Team Leaders
| SDG | Team Lead | Department | College/Centre |
| 1 | Dr Olayemi M. Dudu | Food Science & Technology | COFAST |
| 2 | Dr D.I. Anaemene | Food Science & Technology | COFAST |
| 3 | Dr Felix O. Alao | Biological Sciences | COLNAS |
| 4 | Dr Sola E. Owolabi | University Library | Library |
| 5 | Dr Adeola Ayano | Central Teaching & Research Lab | COLFAST |
| 6 | Dr Chioma C. Obi | Biological Sciences | COLNAS |
| 7 | Dr J.A. Oyebanji | Mechanical Engineering | COLENG |
| 8 | Dr A.A. Ajibola | Economics, Acct. & Finance | COLMANS |
| 9 | Dr T.E. Ogunbiyi | Computer Science & IT | COLNAS |
| 10 | Dr O. Oladehinde | Business Administration | COLMANS |
| 11 | Dr Adewale Alabi | Architecture | COLENVS |
| 12 | Dr E.R. Essien | Chemical Sciences | COLNAS |
| 13 | Dr Folasade Ogunleye | Urban & Regional Planning | COLENVS |
| 14 | Dr C.T. Kester | Biological Sciences | COLNAS |
| 15 | Dr O.P. Akinpelu | Urban & Regional Planning | COLENVS |
| 16 | – | – | – |
| 17 | Dr K.E. Ogunsola | Biological Sciences | COLNAS |
Fig. 2 SDG 17 comprising all the SDG Team leads during meeting the Vice Chancellor
Bells University of Technology implements several strategic initiatives to continuously improve its performance across teaching, research, and community service, ultimately aiming for higher impact, global reputation, and visibility. The Office of the Director, Centre for Advancement, Linkages and Partnerships (CALP) leads the SDG 17 activities, coordinating the University’s linkages and partnerships and encouraging collaboration with the private sector, governments and international organisation. All the SDG team leads constitutes the SDG 17 team and meetings are held to discuss updates, challenges, and strategies for continuity and progress.
Activities of Bells University’s SDG 17 team
As the enabler of all other goals, the SDG 17 team perform the following roles:
- Coordinates all team lead, ensuring report submission to the Vice Chancellor through the Director, CALP.
- Coordinates establishment of linkages and partnerships and the process of developing MOU through the University legal staff
- Facilitates collaborative research and partnership in activities within and between each SDG team and beyond
- Facilitates financial support to the SDG teams from the University Management for SDG programmes and community services such as awareness campaign, public lectures, training of farmers, etc.
- Organises capacity development programmes aimed at achieving various sustainable development goals
- Advises the university management on the need and choice of partnerships for departments and units and SDG teams
- Facilitates development of policies for sustainability and advancement of the University and the community
Key strategies employed for the Progress of SDGs activities in the University Include:
- Vice-Chancellor’s and Chancellor’s Awards for Research Excellence: There is an annual award to incentivize publication in Scopus-indexed outlets, recognizing both individual and overall research performance.
- Intensified Collaboration and Partnership Efforts: SDG 17 and CALP are actively fostering research collaborations and partnerships to enhance internationalization, staff and student exchange, Joint supervision, international research projects, International visiting professorship, digital and entrepreneurial skill development, and academia-industry relations.
- Constitution of University Scopus Committee: This committee facilitates staff publication in Scopus-indexed journals, provide enlightenment and collaborate with various SDG team to develop effective strategies.
- Funding: University Management provides publication supportfund as assistance to authors publishing in Scopus-indexed outlets to encourage increased research output and meet bibliometric requirements
- Research Capacity Building Initiatives: Regular seminars, trainings, symposiums, and workshops are organized to enhance staff research quality, grant acquisition, and partnership and networking strategies.
- SDG Activity Coordination and Documentation: A robust structure was established to coordinate and document SDG-related activities. The establishment of relevant Centres and Units (e.g., AI Centre, R&D Unit, CALP, CATES, Quality Assurance Unit, etc.) further supports advancements in teaching, research, and community engagement.
Bells University of Technology is strategic, focused and intentional in its pursuit of national and global impact and recognition. We will continue to embrace strategic partnerships in teaching, research and community development to actualise our vision of becoming a world renowned University that is committed to the development and transformation of society through environment friendly technology and other innovations.