How to make Nigerian universities globally relevant —Don

A US-based Nigerian Professor of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Michael Adebola has identified cross fertilisation of ideas across fields of study through joint publications and students mobility as a veritable means for tertiary schools in the country to attain global relevance.

He made the observation while delivering the 32nd edition of the Foundation Day Lecture series of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)last Thursday.

He spoke on “Higher education imperatives in the global Century: The challenge for Nigerian universities.” Adebola, who is the Vice Provost of the University Office of Global Programmes, Pennsylvania State University, US, said even though institutions and locations differ, the fact remains that their goals of producing quality graduates and research as well as developing innovative partnership are the same.

He emphasised the need for schools to particularly embark on exchange programmes for their students as well as faculties, saying the knowledge gained from such experience would make them globally competitive.

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adebiyi Daramola said the aim of the foundation lecture series was to further expand the frontiers of knowledge and provide a veritable forum for staff, students and the public to engage with new ideas and knowledge in a way that will enhance teaching, learning, research and ultimately the quality of lives of Nigerians.

Daramola said education today was borderless and was better enriched through individual and institutional collaborations.

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