McPherson University Partners EducationUSA to Prepare Final-Year Students for Global Academic Opportunities

McPherson University has reinforced its internationalisation drive through a strategic collaboration with EducationUSA aimed at equipping final-year students with the knowledge and tools required to compete in global academic and professional spaces.

The outreach programme, held at the Stephen and Hannah Obaro Multi-Purpose Hall, brought together students from 300 to 500 levels as part of a targeted intervention to prepare them for life beyond undergraduate studies.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Francis Igbasan, welcomed facilitators and participants to the engagement, underscoring the university’s commitment to producing graduates with global relevance. His address was delivered by the Acting Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Kayode Olumurewa, who stressed the importance of access to information in shaping future success and urged students to maximise the opportunity for international exposure.

The EducationUSA session was facilitated by Ms. Karamat Ajala, Director of the American Corner, Ibadan, who also serves as an EducationUSA adviser. She provided an in-depth overview of the United States higher education system, highlighting its flexibility, diversity, and emphasis on critical thinking, innovation, and intercultural competence.

She explained that students can choose from a wide range of academic disciplines across more than 1,800 majors and various institutional types, including public and private universities, liberal arts colleges, research institutions, and community colleges. She also noted the increasing availability of hybrid and fully online academic programmes.

A key component of the session focused on experiential learning and career development pathways. Ms. Ajala highlighted opportunities such as Curricular Practical Training (CPT), work-study programmes, cooperative education, research projects, volunteering, and entrepreneurship-based learning, all designed to enhance employability and practical exposure.

On funding, she advised early planning and emphasized the availability of merit-based scholarships, institutional aid, and need-based financial support for international students. She further explained that funding considerations often include academic performance, extracurricular involvement, and institutional priorities.

The interactive session featured a robust question-and-answer segment, where students engaged directly with the facilitator and received detailed responses to their concerns. Outstanding participants were also rewarded with souvenirs and gifts.

In his closing remarks delivered through Dr. Olumurewa, the Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to EducationUSA for its engagement with the institution and reaffirmed McPherson University’s commitment to sustaining global partnerships that enhance student development. He also indicated optimism that the collaboration could evolve into a recurring annual programme aimed at expanding international exposure for students.