AUST UNVEILS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME ON RESOURCE MOBILISATION AND GRANT MANAGEMENT
Abuja, Nigeria — The African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, has announced plans to launch an eight-weekend hybrid professional certificate programme aimed at strengthening capacity in resource mobilisation, grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, and grant management.
The webinar, which introduced the initiative, was moderated by Dr Prisca Onuoha, AUST’s Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Coordinator. She opened the session with an overview of the programme and a brief introduction of the facilitator, Professor Nicholas Ozor.
In his welcome address, the President of AUST, Professor Peter Azikiwe Onwualu, FAS, greeted participants and provided an overview of the University’s academic and short course offerings. He expressed appreciation to attendees, including those joining from outside the AUST community, for their interest in the programme.
The proposed certification course is scheduled to run between May and October and will be delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person sessions at AUST with remote participation options. The programme is designed for a broad audience, including researchers, practitioners, government officials, higher education professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking funding opportunities.
Presenting the programme structure, Professor Ozor outlined a comprehensive ten-module curriculum covering key areas such as donor landscape mapping, strategic resource mobilisation, proposal development, budgeting, compliance and due diligence, procurement and internal controls, monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL), financial reporting, audit preparedness, donor relations, and the use of digital tools, including AI-assisted writing and funding search platforms.
The course will adopt a practical, hands-on approach, incorporating lectures, case studies, proposal clinics, group projects, and team-based support to enable participants to develop fundable concept notes aligned with current funding calls. Participants will also benefit from curated links to funding platforms to enhance the timing and success of applications.
Organisers emphasised the importance of aligning institutional priorities with donor requirements, maintaining integrity in grant management, and ensuring strong proposal narratives supported by accurate and realistic budgets. Discussions also highlighted the need for effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks, outcome harvesting, and compliance with donor regulations.
Logistical details shared during the session included the creation of a WhatsApp group for participants, recommended preparatory reading ahead of the programme’s commencement in May, and registration procedures. The course fee was announced as ₦100,000, with a United States dollar equivalent to be provided for international participants on the programme website.
Participants engaged actively during the question-and-answer segment, seeking clarification on the depth of the MEL component, availability of internship opportunities, and payment options for international applicants. Some attendees also recommended increased emphasis on communication skills and practical, real-world grant management challenges.
The webinar concluded with organisers reaffirming their commitment to equipping participants with the skills required to secure and manage funding effectively, while encouraging interested individuals to enrol in the upcoming programme.