UI Set to Explore Research Partnership with JICA Under AJ-InSPIRE Initiative

The University of Ibadan has received a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to explore research collaboration under the Africa-Japan Initiative for Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Partnership in Research and Education (AJ-InSPIRE).

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Juwon T. Arotiba, FWACS, FICD, expressed the university’s readiness to participate in the initiative and identify mutually beneficial areas of collaboration.

Professor Arotiba made this known while receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor’s office.

The delegation comprised representatives from JICA Headquarters in Tokyo as well as experts from partner universities and institutions across Africa.

Professor Arotiba appreciated JICA for considering the University of Ibadan for the proposed partnership, describing the visit as an opportunity to strengthen international collaboration in teaching, research and innovation.

He reaffirmed that the university has researchers with expertise across several disciplines and stressed that UI remains committed to excellence in teaching, research and community development.

The DVC noted that strategic partnerships are increasingly important for advancing research and addressing contemporary challenges. He described the proposed collaboration in artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering as timely, particularly in view of the university’s anticipated aeronautic engineering programme.

Professor Arotiba also encouraged JICA and its partner institutions to consider other areas of collaboration, including pharmaceutical and medical research, where the University of Ibadan has extensive expertise.

He further proposed faculty and student exchange programmes as part of the partnership, noting that such initiatives would promote knowledge sharing and capacity development.

The leader of the JICA delegation, Dr. Okano Takasei, explained that the AJ-InSPIRE initiative was established to promote and strengthen academic and research collaboration between Japanese institutions and African universities.

He said the initiative is being implemented through three hub universities: the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) in Egypt, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) in Kenya, and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

According to him, the three hub universities are already leading collaborative research projects in different thematic areas, with E-JUST focusing on energy, JKUAT on food value chains, and Stellenbosch University on water and climate change.

Dr. Takasei stated that JICA was seeking collaboration with the University of Ibadan on emerging research initiatives in areas such as artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering, as well as other potential fields of mutual interest.

Following the courtesy visit, a technical session was held with relevant faculties and researchers to identify specific areas of collaboration and develop plans for joint research.