The efforts of the University of Ibadan and Kabarak University, Kenya, to establish an effective collaboration have reached an advanced stage with the visit of the Dean, School of Music and Media Studies, Kabarak University, Kenya, to UI.
A Memorandum of Understanding to develop academic and cultural exchanges between the two universities through mutual assistance in research is to be signed.
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, received the visitor, Professor Mellitus N. Wanyama, on a courtesy visit to his office.
He noted that this visit will allow the universities to broaden their relationship.
The Vice-Chancellor assured that the University of Ibadan was looking forward to collaborating to promote the acquisition of skills and knowledge. He said so many things could be learned from the Department of Music, Kabarak University, by the Department of Music, University of Ibadan being a new department.
Professor Adebowale also gave the assurance of extending the relationship to other affiliated institutions, such as IITA, for research and academic development.
Prof. Mellitus Wanyama, the Dean of the School of Music and Media Studies at Kabarak University, expressed the hope that the MOU would be one of the most active MOUs in Africa.
He explained that his visit was to reciprocate earlier visits to Kabarak University by the Vice-Chancellor, other Principal Officers, and some Heads of Departments from the University of Ibadan.
Professor Mellitus explained that Kabarak University is a well-equipped faith-based university that offers programmes from bachelor’s degrees to the PhD 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 the organisation of conferences.
The Dean also expressed interest in Kabarak University’s membership in the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA) through the University of Ibadan.