…moot collaboration in research, exchange programmes
Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye is poised to explore another strategic alliance with Kent State University, United States of America (USA), to unlock new opportunities for students and researchers. The partnership with the American institution, aimed at fostering innovation and driving global impact, will be facilitated through research and exchange programmes.
A strong indication for collaboration emerged with the recent visit by the Director of the Gerald H. Read Center for International and Intercultural Education, Kent State University, USA. Dr. Amanda Johnson to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola. The visitor was accompanied by the Ogun State Education Ambassador, Dr. Kayode Adewale, the immediate past Ogun State Chairman of Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), Dr. Abayomi Onanuga, and some distinguished members of the Ago-Iwoye Community. In his welcome remarks, the Vice-Chancellor gave a brief on the evolution of the institution, which was established in 1982 as Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye and renamed in honour of the state’s first Civilian Governor in 2001. He noted that the University has since grown in leaps and bounds in line with the vision of its founding fathers.
Prof. Agboola further highlighted OOU’s history of international collaborations and described Dr. Johnson’s visit as both timely and strategic. He expressed enthusiasm about the potential partnership with Kent State University, noting that the American institution offers a wide range of opportunities for research, faculty exchange, and visiting scholar programmes that could benefit OOU.
The Vice-Chancellor thanked the Ogun State Education Ambassador for facilitating the courtesy call of the Kent University’s scholar. He emphasised that the visit “demonstrates the growingcommitment of OOU to international collaborations and its determination to continue to strengthen ties with reputable institutions worldwide.” Prof. Agboola noted that the University’s progress remains a source of pride for the Ago-Iwoye community, adding that the visit has further solidified the existing mutually beneficial town-gown relationship.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Adewale, who hails from Ago-Iwoye, the host community of OOU, expressed his delight at hosting Dr. Johnson and emphasised the importance of the visit.
“The visit is personal and symbolic to me, as Ago-Iwoye has been the hub of my academic inspiration,” he stated. The don expressed gratitude to the University Management for demonstrating remarkable hospitality, describing it as one of the warmest receptions Amanda Johnson had experienced in Nigeria.
He went further to appreciate the good works of the Vice-Chancellor, noting thathis leadership had placed OOU among the leading Universities in Nigeria. He prayed for more wisdom for the Vice-Chancellor to take the institution to greater heights, adding that the University’s progress brings pride and joy to Ago-Iwoye as a community.
Speaking further, the Ogun State Education Ambassador acknowledged the commitment and support of Dr. Abayomi Onanuga, a distinguished member of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN), whom,he said, he first contacted when he conceived the idea of Amanda’s visit. Dr. Adewale also recognised the unflinching support of the royal fatherof the host community, the Ebumawe of Ago-Iwoye, Oba Abdul-Razaq Adenugba, who strongly encouraged Johnson’s visit to OOU as part of his commitment to the continued growth and progress of the University.
While acknowledging the mutually beneficial town-gown relationship, Dr. Adewale appreciated the University for releasing its students to stage a cultural display during Dr. Johnson’s visit to the Ebumawe’s palace. This, he said, demonstrated the community’s unity and commitment to showcasing its rich cultural and educational heritage, an experience Dr. Johnson greatly cherished as a Director of Intercultural Education inher own University.
In her response, Dr. Johnson expressed heartfelt appreciation for the warm reception and affirmed that OOU has the potential to build strong partnerships with Kent State University. She commended Prof. Agboola’s visionary leadership and assured him that she could initiate discussions with relevant directors at her institution to start the collaboration process. She thereafter expressed profound appreciation to her host, Dr. Kayode Adewale, for making the visit to OOU possible.
Dr. Johnson further observed that OOU “means business and is ready for real collaboration,” adding that her visit had strengthened her conviction that the University was prepared for impactful international partnerships. Reflecting on her stay in Ogun State, the visiting scholar also noted her delight at being hosted a “Five-Star treat” at WosAm Hotels, a facility owned by one of the distinguished alumni of the University.
Other dignitaries at the event included the members of the University Management and some University functionaries.