French Embassy, IFRA Seek Stronger Collaboration With University Of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan (UI) recently received the Head of the Cooperation and Cultural Action of the French Embassy in Nigeria, Dr. Thierry Valentin on a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening academic, research, and cultural collaboration between both institutions.

The visit, which was facilitated though French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA), located at the Institute of African Studies (IAS) had the Director of IFRA and a team from the IAS, headed by the Director accompanying Dr. Valentin.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Juwon Arotiba who represented the Vice Chancellor in receiving the delegation reaffirmed the institution's commitment to international collaborations.

He described the University of Ibadan as Nigeria's premier university and a leading institution in West Africa, noting its strong reputation for academic excellence, research, and innovation.Prof. Arotiba emphasized that the University remains open to partnerships that promote knowledge exchange and research that benefits society. He also assured the delegation of the university management's support for future agreements and collaborative initiatives arising from the visit.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Valentin acknowledged the existing collaboration between the University of Ibadan and French institutions, but stressed the need to deepen the relationship, particularly in the fields of social sciences and humanities.

He disclosed plans to explore additional funding opportunities through the French Embassy to support the mobility of Nigerian students and researchers to France. According to him, the initiative would enable postgraduate students and researchers to undertake joint research projects with French counterparts and return to Nigeria to share knowledge and strengthen institutional partnerships.

The French Embassy official also highlighted opportunities available through the French Development Agency (AFD), which supports educational development projects. He explained that the agency works with relevant stakeholders to improve student housing, laboratory facilities, and technological infrastructure in universities.

Dr. Valentin further expressed interest in ensuring that the University of Ibadan benefits from ongoing educational and development initiatives supported by France. He also identified the iDICE programme as a potential area for future collaboration, especially in promoting higher education and professional training in the cultural and creative industries.

Dr Valentin also called for stronger cooperation between the University of Ibadan, IFRA, the Alliance Française, and the French Embassy in the area of cultural development, noting that culture should serve not only as a field of study but also as a platform for practical engagement and community impact.He expressed appreciation to the University of Ibadan for receiving him on the visit, noting that it is his first official visit to a Nigerian university since arriving in the country nearly two years ago.

In his words..."As a scholar and anthropologist, I feel at home in a university environment,".Speaking earlier, the Director of the Institute of African Studies, Prof. Sola Olorunyomi highlighted the long-standing partnership between the University of Ibadan and IFRA.

He noted that both institutions already have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that supports cooperation in areas such as culture, spirituality, migration, conflict studies, and other social science and humanities research. He explained that the collaboration has promoted interdisciplinary research, academic publications, student supervision, and international partnerships involving scholars from both Nigeria and France.In her own remark, the Director of IFRA Nigeria, Dr. Pauline Gienard, said the institute is committed to promoting research in the social sciences and humanities across West Africa.

She explained that IFRA supports researchers through grants, seminars, workshops, and webinars, and has maintained a productive relationship with the University of Ibadan for over three decades.

According to her, IFRA remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the university and expanding opportunities for academic exchange and research collaboration.The courtesy visit concluded with both parties expressing optimism about expanding existing partnerships and exploring new opportunities for academic, research, and cultural cooperation between the University of Ibadan and French institutions.