UI Signs Memorandum of Understanding with University of Edinburgh to Address the Challenges of Climate Change

The Director of the Research Management Office of the University of Ibadan, Professor A.S. Jegede, has reaffirmed that the university leverages transformative programmes that address societal problems and lead to business enterprise.

He made this reaffirmation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the University of Ibadan and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Professor Jegede reiterated that the University of Ibadan is a research-intensive institution with a well-built system that facilitates the turning of research into innovation and restated the university’s commitment to addressing climate change through research, policy engagement, and strategic partnerships.

He appreciated the University of Edinburgh for choosing to collaborate with the University of Ibadan on the Earth Initiative Project, reiterating that UI has a long-standing relationship with the university based in the United Kingdom. 

Professor Jegede added that the confidence reposed in the University of Ibadan was not misplaced, being the oldest and best university in Nigeria.

The Director said that the Memorandum of Understanding would help to establish functional relationship with the University of Edinburgh, affirming that the strategic partnership between the two institutions is an important landmark.

He stated that it is a laudable venture to explore how technology can be fully harnessed to address climate change challenges. 

The Leader of the team from the University of Edinburgh, Professor Margaret Oliver noted the ongoing activities between the two universities and applauded the staff and students of the University of Ibadan for their hard work which according to her, is a special attribute which stands them out in the achievement of academic excellence. 

She said that the collaboration would allow both institutions to harness shared expertise and bring together specialists who are capable of developing practical and innovative solutions to climate change, stating the MoU signing was to formalize the partnership and represent the first stage of a mutually benefitting collaboration.

Professor Omobolaji Omobowale, the Head, Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, who spoke on behalf of the UI research team had earlier disclosed that a research team from the University of Ibadan had earlier visited the University of Edinburgh.

He stated that the University of Edinburgh had expressed a strong desire to engage UI and explore areas of collaboration and mutual academic and research interests.

He disclosed that the University of Edinburgh had funded six students in a research to adapt technology for change, particularly climate change.

He stated that proposals were submitted by the students and six projects were eventually funded to turn ideas into businesses. 

The HOD emphasized that the Memorandum of Understanding provides a valuable platform for both institutions to work together in addressing these challenges, explaining that the MoU would enable collaboration in climate change research through joint publications, execution of projects relating to the climate change as well as students and staff exchange programmes. 

He added that the University of Edinburgh has a climate change policy which the University of Ibadan is leveraging to design the UI Climate Change policy, stating that a first draft of the policy has been produced.

Professor Margaret Oliver was accompanied by Mrs Lucy Young, Dr. Geoffrey Banda, Dr Seth Amanfo, while the members of the Climate Change Research Team at UI present at the ceremony included: Prof. Funmilola Ajani, Prof. Abiodun Oluwafemi Oluwadare, Dr. Tolulope E. Kolajo and two of the student beneficiaries, Engr. Yusuf Ibrahim Olalekan and Mr. Ogunniyi Adetomiwa.