How Researchers Can Become Versatile, by Gombe Varsity Don
A lecturer at the Gombe State University, Prof. Oluwasanumi Adedimeji Adepoju, has identified ways academics and scientists can become versatile researchers.
Adepoju, who is the institution’s Director of Research and Innovation, explained that every researcher must strive towards becoming a multipotentialite – a philosopher, a historian, a communication specialist, an ICT enthusiast, a salesperson, and a mentor, among other professionals.
According to him, a multipotentialite is an individual with a universal, and broad-based expertise as his or her areas of specialization.
Being a multipotentialite, he said, will enable researchers approach the world’s challenges from the orientation of their diverse specializations.
Prof. Adepoju disclosed this at the 2nd Inaugural Lecture series of the Gombe University, where he was the guest lecturer.
He spoke on, “The Infrangible Nature of Knowledge: The Need for Researchers to be Multipotentialites”, at the New Multi-Purpose Hall of the school.
Arguing that research, by its inherent nature, demands that the researcher must be a multipotentialite, Adepoju noted that being a specialist is good, but whatever the area of one’s specialisation, as a good researcher, one must wear the caps of other disciplines.
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“There is a need to rethink the manners in which we teach and learn how we carry out research activities. Our concerns should focus more on the universality of the research process and the interrelationship among all disciplines.
“This is to enable every researcher to be a “complete package” and to ensure that researchers are equipped with the multi-dimensional skills and knowledge needed in conducting meaningful research.
“Researchers must also be trained to be able to make meaningful contributions in several areas outside their areas of specialisation,” the inaugural lecturer said.
Prof. Adepoju (then Dr Adepoju) joined the services of Gombe State University as a pioneer staff of the Faculty of Education in December 2005, and rose to the rank of a Professor on 1st October 2017.
He had served the university in various capacities, some of which include Faculty of Education Examination Ofcer, Time Table Ofcer, Students’ Registration Ofcer, Level Course Advisor, Faculty Library Representative, Students’ Disciplinary Committee member, Mock Accreditation Committee member, University Revenue Generation Committee member, Post Graduate Programme Coordinator, Deputy Dean, Faculty of Education, Head, Department of Science Education and presently, he is serving as the Director, Research and Development Directorate of the University, since January 2020.
He has supervised the research works of over 100 undergraduate students and 20 Postgraduate students, in wide and diverse fields such as Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling, Science Education and Educational Management.
Adepoju is widely published and had served, and still serving on the editorial boards of national and international journals.
