TASFUED, Brazilian Scholars Sign MoU on Cultural Heritage Research, Academic Exchange

The Vice-Chancellor of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), Prof. Samuel Oladipo, MNPA, CMCPN, MCAN, FIELPN, has reaffirmed the University's commitment to internationalisation and global visibility as the institution opened discussions with Brazilian scholars on a strategic partnership in cultural heritage research, academic exchange and sustainable development.

Prof. Oladipo said the proposed collaboration would provide an opportunity to project TASFUED's academic and research potential to the international community while creating new opportunities for staff and students through global partnerships.

The Vice-Chancellor stated this when he received a delegation of Brazilian scholars led by Prof. Bruno Andrade, an architect, urbanist and cultural heritage scholar based in Salvador, Brazil, who visited the University to explore areas of collaboration in research and cultural heritage preservation.

According to Prof. Oladipo, internationalisation and the global positioning of TASFUED are important priorities of his administration, adding that the University has significant potential that must be projected through meaningful partnerships with reputable institutions and scholars around the world.

"One of the things I have as a focus is globalisation, putting TASFUED on the globe. We have so much potential that we need to push," he stated.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed optimism that the proposed collaboration would be sustainable and mutually beneficial to both staff and students, particularly through academic mobility, research collaboration and knowledge exchange.

He also highlighted the distinctive academic philosophy of TASFUED, explaining that the University does not merely train teachers but equips students with disciplinary knowledge, pedagogical competence and entrepreneurial skills.

According to him, students are exposed to entrepreneurial training throughout their undergraduate studies, enabling them to develop practical skills that can support self-employment and enterprise creation after graduation.

Prof. Oladipo described the proposed research into cultural heritage as a worthwhile initiative, stressing the importance of preserving and promoting cultural assets while expanding the University's international research network.

The collaboration was facilitated through Prof. Olukoya Ogen, Director, UNESCO-IFLD, UNIOSUN, and Principal Investigator of a UNESCO-funded research project on the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, who had earlier established contact with the Vice-Chancellor.

Prof. Ogen explained that the proposed partnership would bring together TASFUED, the University of Salvador in Brazil and Osun State University under a tripartite research initiative.

He stated that the collaboration emerged from ongoing research on the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and the identification of another significant heritage site in Ogun State, Billikisu Sungbo's Shrine at Oke Eri, which is currently on UNESCO's Tentative List.

According to him, the proximity of TASFUED to the heritage site, combined with the University's growing interest in research and internationalisation, made the institution an appropriate partner for the initiative.

Prof. Ogen disclosed that the proposed grant application would be supported by the Ânima Research Group in Brazil, a network comprising leading universities across several states in the country.

He added that the project would involve field research, joint academic activities, staff and student exchanges, as well as opportunities for researchers from the participating institutions to undertake research visits to Nigeria and Brazil.

He further explained that the research would provide the foundation for a subsequent application to the Federal Ministry of Culture for consideration of the heritage site for UNESCO World Heritage status.

Such recognition, he noted, could bring significant academic, cultural, tourism and economic benefits to Ogun State, TASFUED and Nigeria.

In his presentation, Prof. Bruno Andrade of UNIFACS Tancredo Neves Campus, Salvador, Bahia, explained that the proposed collaboration was based on the concept of shared heritage between Africa and Brazil, particularly the enduring influence of Yoruba culture on communities in Salvador.

He noted that his research focuses on Candomblé terreiros, spiritual and cultural communities with strong Yoruba roots that have preserved important aspects of African heritage, including language, music, oral traditions, food, architecture, memory and ecological practices.

"Many of the terreiros have preserved significant green spaces despite the rapid urbanisation of Salvador, demonstrating the relationship between cultural heritage, environmental conservation and sustainable development," Prof. Bruno stated.

He explained that his research also incorporates digital technologies for the documentation and preservation of cultural heritage, citing his previous use of Minecraft to engage young people in visualising and discussing the future of heritage areas affected by climate change.

According to him, the proposed Pro-Africa project would examine how Brazil and Africa could learn from one another through comparative research into heritage sites in both regions.

The Nigerian component would focus on the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove and Billikisu Sungbo's Shrine, Oke Eri, which is widely believed to be the burial site of the biblical Queen of Sheba, one of the wives of King Solomon, while the Brazilian component would examine nationally listed Candomblé terreiros in Salvador.

Prof. Bruno further noted that the research would combine cultural heritage conservation, climate-change studies and digital technologies, while incorporating interviews and fieldwork involving traditional custodians, community members, academics and other stakeholders.

He added that the project would also examine the likely impact of climate change on the heritage sites over the coming decades, with the aim of developing proactive strategies for conservation rather than waiting for environmental threats to occur.

The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen TASFUED's international research profile while creating opportunities for cross-cultural scholarship, academic mobility, heritage conservation, innovation and knowledge exchange between Nigeria and Brazil.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was subsequently signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oladipo; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun; and the Director, Directorate of Research and External Relations, Prof. Olufunke Ekine, on behalf of the University. Prof. Bruno Andrade signed on behalf of his university, while Prof. Olukoya Ogen served as a witness.

Also present on the sidelines of the MoU signing was Mr Jandel Fletcher, an entrepreneur and investor who expressed interest in partnering with the University's Centre for Vocational and Entrepreneurial Studies (CENVOS) to further support students with grants.

The University Librarian, Prof. Adebambo Oduwole, was also co-opted as a team member because of his previous research on Billikisu Sungbo's Shrine.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of the University, including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Adekunle Adeogun, FISN; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Rotimi Ettu; University Bursar, Mr Kabir Ogunneye, FCA; University Librarian, Prof. Adebambo Oduwole; Director, Directorate of Research and External Relations, Prof. Olufunke Ekine; and Director, Directorate of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Prof. Jimoh Owoyele, among others.