Morgan State University (MSU), Baltimore, Maryland, the United States of America and Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria have begun talks on mutually beneficial collaborations and partnerships.
The initial discussion about a win-win partnership started on 14 May, 2022 when OAUSTECH's Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Temi Ologunorisa, discussed at length with the Executive Director, Global Partnership-Africa, Morgan State University, Prof. Hakeem Tijani in the US.
A follow up with larger stakeholders on both sides took place via Zoom on Saturday, 28 May, 2022.
Talking at the meeting, AVP International Affairs, Morgan State University, Dr. Yacob Astatke, stated that there are several areas of collaborations and Morgan is ready to collaborate with OAUSTECH.
He revealed that there would be reduction in payable fees for staff of partnering institutions, saying that they could also benefit from capacity building and knowledge sharing.
Astatke emphasized micro-credential opportunities and customized training that would benefit and enhance students’ training as well as capacity building of staff.
On his part, Prof. Tijani reiterated MSU's partnership with TetFund, stating that there are several opportunities including doctoral training, benchwork for those pursuing PhDs locally and postdoctoral mentoring.
He highlighted Morgan’s strength in Distance Learning and encouraged OAUSTECH to explore Morgan’s Online MBA, and both Master’s and PhD programmes in the new School of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Tijani admonished the management of OAUSTECH on sustaining a symbiotic relationship between the two universities.
The Executive Director said that he noted the passion and zeal of the Vice-Chancellor during his visit to the US which energized Morgan’s belief in a serious and beneficial collaboration.
He assured that Morgan is willing to send students on study abroad activities to Okitipupa for immersion and experiential learning in addition to opening its doors for relationship projecting the goal of internationalization on both sides.
Morgan State University, designated as the preeminence and the National Treasure of the State of Maryland, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution established in 1867, providing instruction to a multiethnic, multiracial, multinational student body and offering more than 140 academic programmes leading to degrees.
It is also a major destination for TETfund sponsored programmes in the US with about 150 students from Nigeria alone sponsored by TETfund since 2020.
Tijani hinted that: "The basis upon which the Office of Strategic Partners and Recruitment (Africa) was created dates back to November 28th, 2017 when Morgan hosted twelve Vice Chancellors from Nigerian Universities that concluded in formalizing relationships through MOU signing with four. Subsequently, President Wilson visited Nigeria twice as a keynote Speaker where he highlighted the Morgan vision for a globalized education, and Africa as the footprint."
According to Tijani, other initiatives by President Wilson were aimed at sustaining postgraduate programmes and assisting in the increase of critical doctoral degree needs of universities in Africa generally.
He stated further, "The major stride in this directive is the signing of the MOU with the largest human capacity development agency on the Africa continent in May 2020."
"The Agreement with Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) is an indication of the visionary goal of President Wilson. Hence, from July 1st 2020, a new stage was birthed with the creation of the Office of Global Partnerships-Africa with Prof. Hakeem Tijani as its pioneer Executive Director," he explained.
The foci and operations of OGP-A are to: manage all affairs relating to global partnerships with emphasis on Africa; direct all strategic partnerships with private and public higher education institutions in Africa; develop a strategic plan that implements existing memoranda and fosters new partnerships in Africa; identify, create and sustain short executive courses for heads of tertiary institutions in Africa; and manage, analyze and track overall successes of partnerships and recruitment in Africa.
OAUSTECH's Vice-Chancellor enthused that the vision of MSU is in line with the vision of his administration to build the capacity of staff and students of his institution and internationalize the programmes offered at the Nigerian University.
Prof. Ologunorisa stated that he was happy that the two speakers from Morgan were on the same page with him in developing OAUSTECH, as he was optimistic that the initiated talks would lead to signing an MoU between the two institutions.
OAUSTECH's Registrar, Mr. Ganiyu Oke Saliu, thanked the representatives of MSU for beginning the relationship to contribute to OAUSTECH, saying that OAUSTECH is not only willing to explore but also ready to maximize the opportunities given by Morgan.
Signed
Paul Adeagbo
Deputy Director, Information, Protocol and Rublic Relations
Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Ondo State, Nigeria.
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