VC-DELSU, Prof.Andy Egwunyenga(Right) and Representative of the President of the University of The Bahamas, Dr Abdul Knowles(Left) exchanging signed copies of the MOU for international Exchange Programme of the two Universities in Abraka on Tuesday
By Ejiro Nesisa
The Vice Chancellor of Delta State University, Abraka, Professor Andy Ogochukwu Egwunyenga, has affirmed the University’s commitment to expand its international collaborations with other universities and research centres in different parts of the world as a way to afford its staff and students opportunities to remain relevant at the global stage of higher education. Prof. Egwunyenga made this pledge on Tuesday in Abraka during the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Delta State University, Abraka, and the University of The Bahamas, North Freeport, The Bahamas, West Indies.
According to the statement signed by Patrick Ijeh, Deputy Director of Ceremonials, Information and Public Relations Delta State University ,Abraka, the Vice Chancellor who is sure of the success of the programme thanked the President of the University of The Bahamas, Janyne Hodder, for the enthusiasm shown by traveling to Nigeria on short notice to assess the readiness of Delta State University, Abraka, for the international exchange programme and to formalize the partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
Prof. Egwunyenga expressed delight over the promise that the University of The Bahamas will grant students from Delta State University, Abraka, waivers on tuition fees and provide grants to assist them with their travel expenses. He accepted the invitation of President to visit the University of The Bahamas soonest to assess its facilities and explore more opportunities for joint programmes and faculty exchanges in the interest of staff and students of both universities.
In a statement at the ceremony, the President of the University of The Bahamas, Janyne Hodder, represented by the University’s Executive Director of Global Studies and Programmes, Dr Abdul Knowles, thanked the Vice Chancellor of Delta State University for facilitating their visit to Nigeria on a very short notice. He said, they were attracted to enter into an international exchange programme with Delta State University, Abraka, by the brilliant presentation of the Vice Chancellor during the recently concluded International Partners’ Week Celebration hosted by the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
VC-DELSU, Prof.Andy Egwuyenga(Middle),Representative of the President of the University of The Bahama,Dr Abdul Knowles(Left) and DELSU’s Director of Centre for Research and International Programmes, Prof.Jonathan Tsetimi(Right),signing the MOU for International Exchange Programme of the two Universities in Abraka on Tuesday
Dr. Knowles pointed out that his University is eager to explore sustainable academic partnerships with more universities in Nigeria. He stated that the University of the Bahamas, which was established in 1974 and celebrated its Golden Jubilee this year, is ready to fulfill its obligations in the international exchange programme with Delta State University, Abraka, which will make it possible for lecturers and students of the two universities to exchange study visits on a regular basis. He pointed out that the exchange programme will also include regular virtual lectures with students of both universities as well as regular virtual meetings among their academic staff.
The ceremony featured an interactive session where staff of both universities shared ideas on ways to guarantee a successful long-term collaboration that will best serve the mutual benefit of academic staff and students of both universities. The climax of the event was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two universities in the presence of principal officers, deans and directors of Delta State University, Abraka, amongst whom are Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof (Mrs) Rosemary Okoh; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Ochuko Anomohanran; Provost of Oleh Campus, Prof Eloh Ibagere; Registrar, Mrs Rufina Ufuoma Ufiofio, Dean of Students, Prof. Ignatius Njoseh, the University Orator and Chairman of Ceremonials, Prof. Enajite Eseoghene Ojaruega as well as the Director of the Centre for Research and International Programmes, Prof. Jonathan Tsetimi, who facilitated the international academic exchange initiative.