Igbinedion University Advances Global Standing at African Higher Education Summit in Zambia

In a strategic move to elevate its standing on the international stage, Igbinedion University Okada (IUO) actively participated in the second edition of the "Positioning Your University for Global Visibility Workshop," held from January 27 to 29, 2026, in Lusaka, Zambia.

The event, co-hosted by the University of Lusaka (UNILUS) and the Association of African Universities (AAU), brought together senior leaders from higher education institutions across the continent. 

Th core objective of the workshop was to equip participants with tools and strategies to enhance global presence, boost institutional relevance, and increase international competitiveness. Key focus areas included innovation, forging strategic partnerships, community engagement, and the responsible adoption of technology.

Representing Igbinedion University Okada was Engr. Dr. Queeneth Kinsley-Omoyibo Adesuwa, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Adesuwa described the workshop as highly impactful, stating that it provided attendees with essential knowledge and expertise to strengthen their institutions' visibility and global influence.

Discussions during the three-day program covered critical topics such as research visibility for African universities, the current landscape of research on the continent, the dynamics of global university rankings and institutional reputations, strategic promotion of research, partnerships and funding opportunities, as well as governance structures, incentives, and human capital development. A major theme was the role of global university rankings. 

Participants acknowledged that while these rankings do not fully reflect an institution's unique mission or local contributions, they heavily shape perceptions worldwide, influencing partnerships, student mobility, and funding prospects. The workshop emphasized the need for universities to institutionalize research promotion and communication efforts. 

Recommended approaches included building robust institutional repositories and open access platforms, crafting consistent research branding and outreach strategies, and encouraging faculty to maintain strong digital academic profiles via tools like ORCID, Google Scholar, and standardized institutional affiliations.

The sessions concluded with a collective agreement among attendees: elevating the global positioning of African universities demands purposeful leadership, meaningful institutional reforms, and ongoing collaboration across borders.

Igbinedion University Okada's involvement underscores its ongoing commitment to aligning with global best practices in higher education. As African institutions increasingly seek greater international recognition, initiatives like this workshop play a pivotal role in driving collective progress and competitiveness.