University of Lagos has concluded plans to strengthen collaborations with sister universities in the West African sub-region.
The plans formed part of resolutions reached at a two-day Regional Stakeholders Impact Workshop, which rounded off at the Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre on Friday, August 26, 2022.
Some of the areas identified for possible partnerships by the University of Lagos and four West African higher institutions include green energy, sports development, artificial intelligence, medical interventions, and entrepreneurial innovations, especially in the fintech sector.
The universities are: University of Sierra-Leone, University of The Gambia, University of Liberia and the University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Mali.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Services), Professor Lucian Chukwu represented the Vice-Chancellor at the event.
In his remarks, he praised the African Centre of Excellence on Drug Research, Herbal Medicine Development and Regulatory Science (ACEDHARS) for bringing together stakeholders in the sub-region to discuss issues of common concern, particularly the improvement of the quality of higher education in West Africa through regional specialization and collaboration.
His words: “On-going conversations that will build symbiotic relationships among universities in the West African sub-region are important because that will serve as platforms for ideas cross-fertilization and networking”.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics & Research), Professor Bolanle Oboh gave a presentation on the University of Lagos Strategic Plan (2012-2037) at the workshop. According to her, the successful implementation of the plan underpins the quest of UNILAG to become Africa’s research hub and a lighthouse of solutions for the continent’s challenges.
The other participating institutions also made presentations, which afforded them the opportunity to showcase their areas of strength and collaborations with others.
Members of the visiting institutions were taken on a tour of some facilities across UNILAG. The facilities visited were the Sports Centre, Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre, Natural History Museum, the University Library, Distance Learning Institute, Academic Publishing Centre and Research Management Office.
After the tour, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development Services), Prof. Ayodele Atsenuwa received the workshop participants at the Vice Chancellor’s Office.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the Professor of Law said that the University of Lagos would be glad to partner with all the institutions in areas of mutual interest, ranging from staff and student exchange to the running of joint degree programmes.
She delivered the best wishes of the Vice-Chancellor to the visitors and assured them of the readiness of UNILAG to receive representations from them at any time.
Members of the visiting universities expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural development at the University of Lagos. They also appreciated the University Management for the warm hospitality received throughout their duration in the country.
