Malete (Kwara) - Kwara State University, Malete, has earmarked N3 million for research work to be undertaken by undergraduate students of the institution in 2014.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na'Allah, made the statement on Wednesday in Ilorin during the presentation of 60 undergraduate students who will be beneficiaries of the research fund.

Na'Allah, represented by the Provost, College of Humanities, Prof. Saka Mahmud, reaffirmed the commitment of the university to embark on research that would assist development in all spheres of life.

He described research as "significant" to national development, adding that the institution would not relent in its efforts to ensure that students and staff embarked on research that would enhance development.

The vice-chancellor said that the 60 students screened for the fund were selected from across the six colleges of the university.

He said the initiative was meant to encourage the students to be practical in their learning activities.

In a lecture on importance of research to national development, Prof. Deboye Kolawole, Provost, College of Pure and Applied Sciences, called on Nigerian universities to place more emphasis on research for nation development.

The Speaker, Kwara Assembly, Mr Rasaq Atunwa commended the university for the initiative, saying it would contribute to national development.

Atunwa, represented by Mr Kamaldeen Fagbemi (APC), Oke-Ogun constituency urged other institutions to emulate the university.

In her remark, Dr Grace Abolaji, the coordinator, Under-graduate Research Programme in the university, said that 40 students of the institution benefited from N1.5 million earmarked by the institution for undergraduate research programme in 2013.

Two students Mr Sikiru Issa of Business Education Department and Mr Gideon Awojobi of Mathematics Department, who applied for the fund, commended the university for the instituting the research fund. (NAN)