• Academic wedlock takes place as University of Lagos (UNILAG) signs pact with University of West Indies (UNIWIN), Jamaica, on exchange programme
By Jet Stanley Madu
One of the benefits of international exchange programmes between academic institutions is that it helps to expose scholars to innovations and best global practices. It is in the light of this and other benefits that the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Prof. Rahman Bello explains why such academic exchanges should be encouraged.
He knows better. One of such MoU (Memoranda of Understanding) was signed recently between UNILAG and the University of West Indies in Jamaica. Describing the establishment of the institute as a major development for UNILAG, he pointed out that the institute would not look only at the history of the Black people but, conduct studies into all aspects of the Black man – medical, work ethics, engineering, etc. Studies in the institute, he revealed, will involve exchange programmes between the University of Lagos and the University of West Indies.
He explained that the institute will run simultaneously in both universities. The University of Lagos, he remarked, is gradually but steadily realizing the dream of its founding fathers, which is to transform into world-class post-graduate and research university. “This research institute will contribute significantly to the education and training of researchers, and serve as a great learning environment for our students,” he said.
The initiator of the exchange programme and Dean, Faculty of Arts, who is also the Director of the institute, Prof. Olumuyiwa Falaiye, said the institute would serve as a base for scholars and researchers on Africa and the diaspora. “It’s also to serve as the home ground for the teaching of Master’s degree in African and Diaspora studies. It is a joint Masters degree by the two universities,” he explained.
He added that the institute was coming at a time when Africa and the world are riddled by migration crises. He noted that going by the upsurge in the number of Africans migrating to other parts of the world, it is important to examine the critical issues surrounding the migrations. “Is it ethical, economic, political or otherwise?,” he asked. “These issues are indeed very important and very germane at this time for Africa.”
Falaiye commended the VC, Prof. Bello, for the role he played in ensuring the birth of the institute. Giving further reasons for the relevance of the institute studies at this time, he noted that it will help to “give the Black people a voice in research. In days past, research about Africa had always emanated from the West. Surprisingly, the foreign scholars visit Africa for a few hours, few weeks and they claim to be experts. Whereas our own scholars have not been sufficiently empowered into conducting profound research about their own people. We have to rely on funds coming from outside the continent. Invariably, this leads to the direction of research being determined by those who fund it.”
In his remarks, Prof. Wellington Oyibo of the Research and Innovation Centre, whose office is providing the take-off grant, remarked that the institute is aimed at making an impact on research by addressing critical issues about the Black man in its entirety and assessing the various dynamics that will require a very strong multidisciplinary approaches to embark.
In a special lecture entitled: “The Global Migration Crisis: Identity, Ethical and Economic Entailments,” delivered by Prof. Abolade Adeniji of the Department of History and International Relations, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, he noted that humans generally are highly mobile animals, saying, “people will always move. But with good governance, the number will be minimal. Most people migrate out of hopelessness, with the desire to better their lot. Once you make things better, they just might be tempted to stay.”