The University of Ibadan Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation, and Strategic Partnerships, Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose, SAN, has reiterated that the University of Ibadan is noted for excellence, the hard work of its faculty and collaborations with highly placed researchers, which earn the University a very high ranking among other institutions globally.
She made this statement while receiving a team from Campbellsville University, U.S. A. on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, fspsp, FAS.
The team was in UI to set up a laboratory for Montessori strategies in the Department of Early Childhood and Educational Foundations and to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two institutions.
Professor Bamgbose said the confidence reposed in the University of Ibadan was not misplaced, given that the university is the first and best in Nigeria and West Africa, and sixth in Africa.
Professor Bamgbose assured that the University of Ibadan was willing to promote more strategic partnerships with Campbellsville University through the existing Memorandum of Understanding.
An expert in Montessori strategies and Professor of Early Childhood Education, Professor Sharon Hundley was accompanied by an Assistant Professor, Ms. Julie Ann Ball, on the visit. They were led to the Vice-Chancellor’s office by the Acting Head of the Department of Early Childhood and Educational Foundations, Dr. I. A. Salami.
Professor Hundley said it was an honour to be in UI, an academic institution with global recognition and an incredible reputation.
She said Campbellsville University was ready to collaborate with UI to fulfill its vision “To be a World Class Institution for Academic Excellence Geared Towards Meetings Societal Needs.”
She said the visit was aimed at training lecturers and young project students in the Department of Early Childhood and Educational Foundations on Montessori strategies in raising children.
Professor Hundley said the Montessori programme has been ongoing for over 20 years, adding that research has shown that childhood is the best time to make the greatest impact in a child’s life.
According to her, the Montessori strategies include giving the children physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills with other provisions in the classroom to make the children well developed to become leaders of the world.
The collaboration is expected to include student exchange, staff exchange, cultural exchange and Train-the-Trainer programmes in the Department of Early Childhood and Educational Foundations in the University of Ibadan and Campbellsville University, in readiness for the postgraduate programme in Montessori Strategies expected to commence soon at the University of Ibadan.
