By Adeyinka Adeniran
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, University of Ibadan, Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju has stated that the University makes all efforts to ensure that its graduates are properly taught to enable them to compete favourably with others globally and to be worthy in character.
She stated this while receiving on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, a member of the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag), Mr. Kai Gehring, during a courtesy visit.
Professor Baiyeroju gave an overview of the University’s vision and mission statements, adding that they are being pursued passionately to enable it become a world class institution that produces graduates who are worthy in character and sound judgement.
The DVC assured the Parliamentarian that UI encourages collaborations, which will enable UI students to understand appreciably, the German Parliamentary system.
In his remarks, Gehring, a member of the German Federal Parliament and Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment said his team came to conduct interviews for applicants who wish to become part of the International Parliamentary Scholarship Programme (IPS) in Nigeria.
He said he was happy to have the opportunity to visit the oldest and the most important University in Nigeria.
He stated that universities in Nigeria and Germany already have thirty-two cooperations and partnerships, which he hoped could be increased.
The visitor said he was happy that Nigeria was already part of such established programmes as the DAAD, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Network, and vocational training being offered by GIZ in Nigeria that offer scholarships to African countries.
He explained that the programme he came into Nigeria for is neither a University exchange programme nor an academic scholarship programme but a parliamentary programme. I’m assuring you that the programme will help young people to be exposed to the processes of democracy and parliamentary work in Germany.
IPS Fellows, young University graduates with advanced German language skills, are invited to Berlin to become acquainted with the German Parliamentary system and political decision-making process on a compact four week programme.
The programme was facilitated by the German lecturer at the University of Ibadan, Ms. Charlotte Meyn. It is expected that the programme would be another step in the cooperation between Nigeria and Germany at the University of Ibadan.
