The Federal Government of Nigeria is about to introduce Diaspora BRIDGE, a groundbreaking digital platform that will link Nigerian professionals and scholars living abroad with academic institutions and research centres throughout the nation.
Vice President Kashim Shettima and Education Minister Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa will preside over the launch event at State House in Abuja on Monday.
Objective of Diaspora BRIDGE
The objective of Diaspora BRIDGE, an acronym for Bridging Research, Innovation, Development, and Global Engagement, is to increase national capacity in education, research, and innovation by utilising the experience of Nigerians living overseas.
By registering their areas of expertise, diaspora professionals can interact directly with local institutions looking for assistance in particular research or academic fields.
Through the platform, diaspora experts can establish profiles, showcase their areas of expertise, and work directly with Nigerian research institutions, universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. Local organisations can simultaneously express their needs and start formal, demand-driven collaborations.
Key Features of Diaspora BRIDGE
Diaspora BRIDGE will come with several integrated tools, including:
Virtual Collaboration Modules: to facilitate smooth remote communication between local institutions and diaspora professionals.
Research Project Tracking Systems will monitor and evaluate collaborative research projects.
Academic Matching Algorithms: to effectively link relevant institutions with diaspora experts.
Project Monitoring and Performance Evaluation Tools: guaranteeing accountability and openness in project completion.
Diaspora BRIDGE’s principal goals
The platform’s principal goals are to encourage academic cooperation by helping local institutions and Nigerian scholars living abroad form alliances; increase research outputs and innovation to increase research productivity; increase institutional capacity by giving people access to knowledge and experience from around the world and, encourage national development in line with Nigeria’s overarching objectives for innovation, research, and education.
It is anticipated that Diaspora BRIDGE will greatly improve research and education in Nigeria by providing access to the large network of Nigerian intellectuals living overseas.
Experts predict that this project will promote innovation and long-term growth by bridging the gap between Nigerian institutions and their international counterparts.
Diaspora BRIDGE to go live after launch
After the official launch, the platform will go live. Complete registration and access information can be found at www.diaspora-bridge.ng (to be activated post-launch).
The platform encourages active participation from diaspora organizations, research directors, and university administrators.
An important turning point in Nigeria’s endeavor to utilize the skills of its diaspora has been reached with the launch of Diaspora BRIDGE.
The platform has the potential to spur innovation, enhance research capabilities, and make a significant contribution to national development by enabling meaningful collaboration between local institutions and international Nigerian professionals.
Diaspora BRIDGE is well-positioned to have a long-lasting effect on Nigeria’s research and education ecosystem thanks to its innovative features and progressive outlook.