Undergraduate Mentored Research Should Be the Foundation for Knowledge Creation in Universities

Abstract

Research is an integral part of undergraduate training in many universities, including the University of Ibadan, but many times the expectations set for the students are cruelly low and the mentoring given to them is less than optimal, with the result that the quality of ‘knowledge’ produced thereby leaves a lot to be desired. This is all the more tragic because many of these undergraduates are highly intelligent and their curiosity is easily aroused. Their inquisitiveness and passion can lead to great new discoveries in science and technology, if properly nourished