The Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, has won a research grant for an explorative research programme aimed to advance gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).
The programme is funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and is to be implemented in collaboration with Carleton University in conjunction with multidisciplinary experts in Canada and the Edo State Polytechnic.
Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Benin City, said the institution’s Centre for Gender Studies and Women Development was established as an academic research unit to advance studies in gender mainstreaming, women empowerment, girl-child education, among others.
According to him, “We are elated that the Centre for Gender Studies and Women Development has just attracted this grant to the school. This is a result of our focus on equipping our people with the right skills for grants seeking to expand the resource base for us to conduct impact research as an institution.
“The Edo State Government was quite clear when it gave us a mandate to make this school an international resource centre for research and development. This grant, which extends our academic reach to researchers and resources in Canada and other Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC), is a major boost. We expect more of such grants in the coming months.”
Prof. Falodun added that the grant would strengthen the school’s capacity in contributing to efforts at combating gender-based stereotypes in education institutions in developing countries.
The IDRC says the Gendered Design in STEAM project “will contribute to more inclusive technological designs in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) by building capacity in gendered innovations. Gendered innovations are new or improved products and processes designed using sex and gender analysis and that generate substantial benefits for society and advance gender equality.”
