The University of Ibadan has hosted representatives of the State University of New York, (SUNY) Oswego, United States of America who were on an institutional visit to explore partnership opportunities and collaborations that would help to advance research and position UI as the catalyst of economic development of Nigeria.
While receiving the representatives on a courtesy visit to the office of the Vice Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale mni, FAS, fspsp stated that the University of Ibadan leverages innovative research that strengthens diversity through networking, linkages, strategic partnerships and collaborations locally and globally.
He reiterated that the university had consistently demonstrated its commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and innovation to position itself as a leading educational institution in Nigeria.
Professor Adebowale stated that UI is a comprehensive university, and its vision is widening, as depicted in the 23 faculties it currently has.
He said that UI is a research-intensive university and its structure is in alignment with global trends which have led to an expansion in the scope of the university’s operations, explaining that the office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (RISP) was created some years ago to drive strategic partnerships such as the one being witnessed with SUNY.
He reiterated the vision of the University of Ibadan to transit into a postgraduate university with cutting-edge research activities to produce top-class researchers who will become leaders and builders of other universities.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that strategic partnerships and collaborations are established through Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), which incorporate joint research, student and staff exchange, student mobility, joint curriculum, and programmes.
He appreciated the visiting team for coming to UI and stated that given the university’s antecedents, it was the right choice for collaboration in academic research and innovation in Nigeria.
The VC commended the Founder, Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Dr Muyiwa Bamgbose for facilitating the visit, which according to him will open new vistas of research opportunities, development and effective collaborations that would promote qualitative research between Nigeria and the USA.
The President, State University New York, Oswego, USA, Professor Peter Nwosu who was accompanied by the university’s Chief International Officer, Professor Joshua McKeown thanked the University Management for the show of interest in collaboration with SUNY.
He said the institutional visit to the University of Ibadan was to get to know UI, explore opportunities of partnerships and sign a memorandum of understanding adding that UI is the first institution where the State University New York will be signing such in Nigeria.
Professor Nwosu described the State University of New York as the largest comprehensive institution in the USA, adding that it is a confederation of universities designed to ensure access and affordable educational delivery to students locally and internationally.
He stated that SUNY, which was established in 1861 has been a catalyst of economic development in New York, disclosing that the university has 64 campuses with 4,000 degree programmes and 500 online degree programmes with each campus serving as the economic engine of the state with unique programmes.
Explaining that he is the president of one of the SUNY campuses, Professor Nwosu mentioned that there is an ongoing SUNY-Africa Initiative, which was created to establish multi-institutional collaborations and leverage institutional strengths through need-based interventions and collaborations.
He added that because of the population size of Nigeria and its complexities, SUNY was planning for an extensive visit to the country under the auspices of the SUNY-Africa initiative with a larger delegation, explaining that the SUNY delegates had sought partnerships and collaboration with two countries with multi-sectors, programmes and institutions namely Kenya, Rwanda, adding that Nigeria and Ghana were being considered for the initiative too.
The president said that both universities would create a synergy with faculties, identify areas of partnerships, assuring that SUNY was ready to collaborate with UI on student and staff exchange programmes, joint curriculum, dual-degree programmes and short courses to address research and economic gaps.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between UI and the State University of New York during the visit to provide for cooperation on academic activities of the two institutions that will strengthen mutual understanding, foster friendly cooperation, promote sustainable and productive academic collaborations and exchanges between faculties, students and researchers of both universities in integrated learning programmes.
The two-man delegation later interacted with deans of faculties and heads of selected departments to identify areas to form the basis of the collaboration and could be built upon.
