Partnership for the Goals
Partnership for the Goals
17.1 Overview
Covenant University has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, which focuses on strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development. Through diverse initiatives and strategic collaborations, Covenant University has made significant strides in fostering partnerships, engaging stakeholders, and promoting sustainable development. This report highlights the university’s contributions to SDG 17, showcasing its efforts in policy engagement, research, capacity building, and community development.
17.2.1 Policy Engagement and National Impact
Covenant University actively contributes to national and regional policy development by organizing fora (such as roundtables and conferences) where government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the public converge to discuss policy improvements and provide recommendations for national development. These engagements created platforms for meaningful dialogue between the public and policymakers, driving actionable insights that influence policy formulation. The Special Adviser to the President on Economic Affairs, Dr. Tope Kolade Fasua, was the Keynote Speaker at the sixth annual National Budget Roundtable and Panel Discussion of Covenant University’s Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDER) on 20th June 2024, with the theme, “Exchange Rate Management and National Budgeting for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”. The National Budget Roundtable brought together experts (see Plate 1&2), to address the challenges and opportunities of managing Nigeria’s budget amidst volatile foreign exchange rates. He stated that the “40% food inflation rate in the country must come down immediately, to avoid severe national food crisis”.
Covenant University’s Prof. David Olukanni was recently appointed as a Council Member of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) during the 2024 COREN Assembly. Covenant University trusts that his appointment will lead to positive influence on national engineering standards and practices.
17.2.2 Capacity Building and Training Initiatives
In collaboration with The Education Collaborative, Covenant University is leading training and capacity-building in grant-writing to empower researchers across Africa with essential grant-writing skills. These initiatives aim to enhance the ability of African researchers to secure funding for projects that address the SDGs, thereby promoting research that supports sustainable development.
Additionally, through strategic partnerships with organizations such as Cisco and Zarttalent, Covenant University’s CU-CDIIC (Covenant University Community Development Impact Initiative Committee) has offered specialized training to students in various tech fields, including IoT, cybersecurity, solar panel technology, cinematography, and graphic design. These programs, which were completed on 16th October 2024, equip young individuals with the skills needed to tackle contemporary societal challenges, fostering innovation and self-reliance.
P 17.2.2. Recent Grant Writing Webinars
17.2.3 Community Engagement and Sustainable Development
Covenant University’s CU-CDIIC plays a pivotal role in engaging with local communities to identify their specific needs and priorities. By aligning research and development projects with community insights, the university ensures that its contributions are grounded in real-world experiences. This community-centric approach enhances the relevance and impact of government policies.
The university’s commitment to social responsibility extends to student engagement through community service initiatives, empowering students to address local challenges and develop a sense of civic duty. Collaborative projects with organizations like OBTranslate focus on developing AI-powered solutions for language translation, video conferencing, and messaging, fostering innovation that benefits the broader African community.
17.2.4 Startegic Partnership for Sustainable Impact
Covenant University’s strategic partnerships with government agencies like the Nigeria Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) and NGOs such as The International Federation of Training and Development Organizations (IFTDO) and Committee for Youth and Women Empowerment (CYWE) have enabled impactful projects aligned with the SDGs. These collaborations highlight the university’s dedication to addressing global challenges through multi-stakeholder engagement.
The establishment of an endowment fund by Kora ensures that deserving students receive financial support to complete their higher education, demonstrating Covenant University’s commitment to promoting inclusive and equitable quality education.
Covenant University’s contributions to SDG 17 reflect its commitment to fostering partnerships that drive sustainable development. Through policy engagement, capacity building, innovative research, community service, and strategic collaborations, the university is playing a crucial role in addressing global challenges. By leveraging its expertise and resources, Covenant University continues to advance the SDG agenda, contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future for Africa and beyond.