By SIKIRU AKINOLA
Apparently impressed by the rising profile of the Obafemi
Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, especially the recent Webometric world rating which
placed the OAU as best University in Nigeria for the third time running and
the sixth best in Africa, the University of The Gambia has sent a high-powered
delegation to the university to seek assistance in areas of academic,
administrative and professional endeavours.
The team, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Muhammadou
Kah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the OAU on Monday, highlighting specific
areas where urgent interventions are required in putting the fifteen-year-old Gambian
University on a sound footing.
According to Kah, the immediate needs that require quick attention
included provision of academic and administrative staff at senior level cadre,
ICT and some instructors, Chief Librarian, Deputy Provost for its School of
Medicine, Medical equipment, more teachers for the Faculties of Arts and
Sciences, Law, Basic Sciences and Agriculture.
He implored OAU management to bring its magic wand and
excellence to bear on the ares so that the link between its Faculty of Agriculture
and its teaching and research farm, which is for real practical and
demonstration of what has been taught in classes, would be replicated by its
team of experts in the University of The Gambia. He applauded the big brother
gesture of Nigeria and enjoined OAU to use all resources at its disposal to
make The Gambia an educationally solid country.
Going down memory lane, Kah recalled how a Nigerian
Professor, Emman Ekpon, as the pioneer Vice- Chancellor, laid a good, solid
foundation for what is now called the hope and future of The Gambia.
He said Ekpon brought from Nigeria the pioneer Provosts,
Deans, the Registrar and a few others to build an indestructible foundation for
the university.
Kah appreciated the invaluable contributions of Nigeria to
the present educational standard of The Gambia, adding that Nigeria has a
tradition and history of University education with abundance of intellectuals
whose ingenuity could shape the future of Africa for the best.
“The footprint of Ife (OAU) is far grounded in The Gambia,
because all your graduates who are our citizens are doing well not only in our
country but all over the world. We want to see our students in your campus here
and also see your students in the University of The Gambia. OAU has enough resources,
material, academic and financial, to assist us to attain a world class
University.”
He expressed the gratitude of The Gambian President, Yaya
Jameh, for the care and unique leadership which OAU has been providing for
other Universities in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Responding, the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Professor Bamitale
Omole, assured the visiting team of adequate provision, stating that whatever
it takes to make the MoU works shall be done. He reinstated his belief in the
uniqueness of Africa and call on those in the diaspora to contribute their own
quota to make the development of the continent rapid.
0 comments:
Post a Comment