Dr.  Okhaishie n' Avhianwu  PhD.    (Chairman, APR&DC)

The Committee

The Auchi Polytechnic Research and Development Committee (APR&DC) was set up at the instance of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) under section 2(a) (ii) of the Federal Polytechnics decree/Act (FGN, 1979) which compels all Polytechnics and monotechnics to conduct research in the development and adaptation techniques to enhance the country's quest to develop technologically and emerge as a strong and self reliant nation.

The Research Mandate of Nigeria Polytechnics and Monotechnics 

The research mandate of Nigeria Polytechnics and monotechnics makes research an obligation/ mandatory function of all Polytechnics, and it lays emphasis on applied or action research, rather than basic or fundamental research.  The mandate involves what Research and Development (R&D) represents.

• The use of existing knowledge to produce some results and/or develop something, which cannot be regarded as constituting a body of new knowledge but nevertheless is important within the framework of overall development (technology or otherwise) of the nation.

• Technological development through applied research activities of limitation or copy technology leading to adoption and modification of existing processes/products for suitability/ convenience.

• The use of experience gained from limitation (copy, adaptation or modification) technology to develop new products and processes. In the context of mandate, the phrase "Research & Development" is employed to categorize the class of projects, which by definition cannot be justified by the term research.

The Objectives

The main objective of the Auchi Polytechnic Research and Development Committee is to establish the foundation of project work among academic staff of the Polytechnic and to nurse, monitor and consolidate the foundation so established.

Functions of the Research and Development Committee

The basic functions of the APR & DC as stipulated by the NBTE Polytechnic Research Committee (PRC) are:

• receiving, validating and endorsing research proposal to be funded by the Polytechnic;

• advising management in the modality of disbursing research grants to researchers;

• assisting researchers to claim their research grants from the polytechnic in order to ensure performance as contained in the agreement;

• recommending appropriate disciplinary action(s) against defaulters to the institutions authority; and

• organizing seminars and publicity on research activities of the polytechnic.

In addition to these basic functions, the APR & DC also select and upgrade research products for Exhibitions and Trade Fairs.

On-going Research Projects

On-going research projects are in the areas of chemistry, polymer/geochemistry and renewable energies.