The University of Ibadan (UI), in southwest Nigeria, and Kabarak University, in Kenya, have concluded plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to develop academic and cultural exchanges between the two universities through mutual assistance in the area of research.
A statement by the university’s Public Relations Department says the visit of the Dean, School of Music and Media Studies, Kabarak University, Kenya, Professor Mellitus Wanyama, to UI has brought the effort to establish an effective collaboration with UI to an advanced stage.
The statement quotes the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, who received Professor Wanyama on a courtesy visit to his office, as saying that the visit will allow the universities to broaden the relationship.
Prof. Adebowale assured that the University of Ibadan is looking forward to having a collaboration that will promote the acquisition of skills and knowledge.
He disclosed that the Department of Music, University of Ibadan, being a new department, stands to learn so many things from the Department of Music, Kabarak University.
The Vice-Chancellor also gave the assurance of extending the relationship to other affiliated institutions, such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), for research and academic development.
On his part, Prof. Mellitus Wanyama, the Dean of the School of Music and Media Studies at Kabarak University, Kenya, expressed the hope that the MOU would be one of the most active MOUs in Africa.
He explained that the purpose of his visit was to reciprocate earlier visits by the Vice-Chancellor, other principal officers, and some heads of departments from the University of Ibadan to Kabarak University.
Prof. Wanyama explained that Kabarak University is a well-equipped faith-based university that offers programmes from bachelor’s degrees to Ph.D. level.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions is expected to cover areas such as research, exchange of academic staff and students, exchange of academic materials and information, transfer of academic credits for students, development of joint degree programmes, and organisation of conferences
The Dean also expressed the interest of Kabarak University in being a member of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) through the University of Ibadan.
