MUT Signs An MOU With Nigeria’s University
MUT’s research is heading for a very strong position thanks to the MOU signed by MUT and Nigeria’s Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (FUNAI), a university in Ebonyi State in western Nigeria. “Let it work,” said a happy MUT Acting VC, Prof Marcus Ramogale after the signing. Prof Onuegbu Ugwu, Director, Research and Development, signed for FUNAI. As far as the MOU goes, the two universities will collaborate in research, which will bring synergy and save resources. This will enhance the quality of research from both institutions. There will also be an exchange of students so they could acquire relevant exposure to research in a different African country. The MOU will cut across all three MUT faculties. Prof Ugwu said collaboration between universities was a global trend. Prof Theo Haupt, Research Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at MUT, said the reason for choosing FUNAI was two-fold. “We want to provide access, affordability and find African solutions to African problems. Also, FUNAI’s vision is very similar to MUT’s. For instance their priority areas of research are the same as ours, but also much broader. I am a very strong proponent of African collaboration,” said Prof Haupt, who added that the two universities were equal partners in the agreement that he said would be followed through. FUNAI’s research themes are agriculture, health, engineering, community services and frontiers. Frontiers include nanotechnology, biotechnology, and innovative solutions to climate change. Both Prof Haupt and Prof Ugwu said this approach would contribute to the realization of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 2030. Another common area between the two universities is that they are both keen to include entrepreneurial skills in their academic offerings. Prof Ramogale’s presence enhanced
support for this MoU at executive level.