Ilorin, Nigeria – The University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has entered into a partnership with the North-China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, based in Zhengzhou, Henan, China, to enhance academic cooperation and foster cross-cultural exchanges between the two institutions. The collaboration was formalized on September 5, 2024, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
According to a bulletin released by UNILORIN on Monday, the partnership aims to strengthen ties between the two universities in areas such as education, research, and cultural exchange. The MoU signing took place during the First Exchange Mechanism Conference of the China-Africa Consortium of Universities and the China-Africa Higher Education Dialogue, held at the Beijing International Conference Centre from September 5 to 7, 2024.
Professor Wahab Egbewole, SAN, Vice Chancellor of UNILORIN, and his counterpart from the North-China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. This collaboration is part of a broader initiative designed to enhance educational ties between African and Chinese universities, with UNILORIN being one of 100 African universities selected to participate.
The partnership will facilitate joint research projects, student and staff exchanges, and other academic activities, with a particular focus on water resources and electric power. The initiative is expected to benefit both institutions by promoting knowledge exchange and addressing global challenges.
Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Professor Egbewole highlighted the significance of cross-cultural academic collaboration in today’s interconnected world. He expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to drive innovation and development in critical sectors, pledging UNILORIN’s commitment to ensuring the success of the collaboration.
The conference, co-hosted by the China Association of Higher Education and the Association of African Universities, is a key platform for fostering deeper educational ties between China and Africa. The partnership between UNILORIN and the North-China University is seen as a major step toward achieving the program’s goals of enhancing academic excellence through international cooperation.
