The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has reiterated that the University of Ibadan is ever proud of the quality of its graduates, saying its alumni are widely recognised globally and are thriving in the field of research and innovation.
He made this statement while receiving the Deputy Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, North West University, South Africa, Professor Ushotanefe Efe Useh on a courtesy visit to his office.
The Vice-Chancellor appreciated Professor Useh, an alumnus of the university, for coming back to his alma mater, adding that UI needs its alumni and friends of the university to look back and support the institution.
He restated that the University of Ibadan is transiting into a postgraduate institution where cutting-edge research will be carried out to sustain the nation.
To this end, Professor Adebowale said the University is gradually reducing its undergraduate admission while increasing its postgraduate admission quota.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that UI has a vision of collaborating with African Universities, adding that it is a member of African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and also has affiliations with the Pan African University with its Life, And Earth Sciences Institute situated at the University of Ibadan.
Professor Adebowale said UI has a strong Office of Alumni Relations created to document the alumni of the university digitally for seamless communication and collaboration with the university.
The Vice-Chancellor stated that UI has a number of its alumni as adjunct lecturers who are adding value to the university, and therefore extended an invitation to Professor Useh for such a collaboration.
The Vice-Chancellor said the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between UI and North West University seeks to promote collaboration on academic activities of the two institutions which will strengthen mutual understanding, foster cooperation, promote sustainable and productive academic collaborations, and exchange between faculties, students and researchers of both institutitons in integrated learning programmes.
Professor Ushotanefe Efe Useh had earlier declared that his visit to the University of Ibadan was a homecoming, saying that it was purposely to seek collaboration and strategic partnerships.
He explained that it was the qualifications he obtained from the University of Ibadan that gave him the leverage to lecture in the United Kingdom and saw him advance to his present level in his academic journey, adding that a degree from the university of Ibadan is top-notch.
Professor Useh said North West University believes in internationalization, adding that with over 40,000 distance learning students, North West University occupies one of the six top universities in South Africa.
He stated that the university has the intention to collaborate with UI to explore the opportunities that exist in areas such as staff and students exchange, dual qualification considerations, industrial collaborations, and private partnerships.
