ABU Zaria, Nairobi varsity sign pact on research activities

From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Nairobi, Kenya have agreed to collaborate for joint research activities, and exchange of scholars, as well as students both undergraduate and postgraduate.

The agreement was contained in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) jointly signed by both parties at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. The MoU is for a period of five years, and it shall be governed by Nigerian and Kenyan laws subject to national and international jurisdictions.

In a press statement issued by the director Public Affairs Department of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria,

Mallam Auwal explained that the  Vice-Chancellor, Professor. Kabiru Bala, signed the MoU on behalf of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, while the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Professor. Stephen Kiama stood in for the Kenyan university.  

The main objective of the Memorandum of Understanding is basically to provide directly or in collaboration with other institutions’ facilities for university education, including technological, professional education, research, transmission of knowledge and the stimulation of intellectual life and cultural development.

Specifically, other areas of collaboration as captured in the MoU include joint proposals for solicitation of funding and exchange of information as well as documentation both written and electronic.

Both institutions also agreed on use of each other’s facilities subject to adequate prior notice, convenience and availability, as well as exchange of faculty members in the field of mutual interests and on terms to be agreed upon.

Additionally, the MoU seeks collaboration in joint research and publications, academic writing, alumni relations, partnerships and stakeholder engagements.

The two African universities will engage in capacity building through exchange programmes, research output, and short courses. This is in addition to exchange of academic data and information, as well as the joint organisation of scientific meetings such as seminars, conferences, colloquiums, and workshops.

Both parties further undertake to jointly solicit funds, including donor funds, research grants, contributions, subscriptions and such related funds for the purpose of realizing any or all the objectives of the collaboration.