University of Lagos student shares her experience of her time at Sussex as a Junior Research Associate
By: Laura Arnold
Last updated: Friday, 13 July 2018
The International Junior Research Associate Scheme (IJRA) is a pioneering project that aims to develop future research leaders by pairing talented undergraduates from international universities with faculty to undertake supervised research during the summer.
In 2016, we hosted eight IJRA students from our international partners around the world including Precious Fasanya from the University of Lagos. Precious was supervised by Dr Femi Amao, Senior Lecturer at the School of Law and Politics and Sociology, who was very impressed by the scheme and his student.
Dr Amao, said:
“The IJRA is advantageous because it provides opportunity to nurture a research agenda with a budding researcher in a developing country. It provides an avenue to sow the seed of research where it is needed. It has huge potential for impact.”
Sussex Law School is one of the most successful and fastest growing law schools in the UK with an impressive track record of internationally recognised research. 91 percent of our graduates are in work or further study 6 months after graduation.
Students are equipped with legal and transferable skills by taking part in national and international mooting, client interviewing, criminal advocacy and negotiation competitions. The Sussex Clinical Legal Education allow students to gain experience giving supervised legal advice and assistance in the community.
Precious shares her experience of the time spent here at Sussex Law School.
Tell us about your background.
I am from Ogun state, Nigeria. I am currently a final year student at the University of Lagos. My core interest is in commercial and industrial law, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, financial literacy, investment management and consulting.
What did you learn from your IJRA experience?
Having the opportunity to engage in the IJRA curriculum has been a blessing to me in so many ways. It has helped me to understand life and to see myself in a better light.
What did it expose you to?
At the time of my participation in the IJRA scheme I was in my penultimate year. I had a deep sense of fulfilment from studying law, but I never really knew nor fully imagined where exactly I was going to fit into in the real world. This stems from the fact that law is a very dynamic profession and lawyers can do a lot of things for a living and still be lawyers.
Upon my resumption at the University of Sussex, I began my research work on Company Law reform as a developmental tool in Nigeria. The main objective was to consider how the company law framework could be utilised as a development tool in the context of developing countries. This research concludes that Nigeria is a budding state with its own set of values and identity. It then postulates that in actualising development through company law, reference should be accorded to the importance of adapting some other jurisdictions policies into the Nigerian framework.
What new adventures did it bring?
I began to realise my inner passion for management and critical analysis. I discovered day-by-day my analytical and administrative capabilities. Overtime I developed tools to become an original person with a creative approach to problem solving. Sequel to these developments, I became more ambitious and determined, developing a strong courage to follow my convictions. I had a better grasp of the will to impact and it has set my pace for my dreams ever since.
What do you hope your paper will achieve?
To influence corporate law reforms both in Nigeria and within Africa, and to help achieve a better growth environment thereby enhancing the Nigerian economy.
What advice would you give to anyone who is might be coming in as an IJRA like you?
Try as much as possible to learn the ropes of research as it will be very useful later on. Take the time to discover yourself and meet new friends during this period.
Describe your overall impression of the University of Sussex
Sussex is a great place to be! Brighton is just an hour from London, so there is a lot to see and do. The University has a lot of philanthropic exploits and has driven its vision beyond the shores of the UK to effect the change we so desire. I met people that I'll forever be grateful to for invaluable friendship and immeasurable help. Special thanks to my supervisor for his support and guidance, and to everyone who helped me at Sussex; a home away from home.
Tosin Adebisi
Senior International Officer (Africa and the Middle East)
For more information about study and scholarship opportunities are the University of Sussex, visit our funding pages.