UI to Explore Research Partnership With JICA Under AJ-InSPIRE Initiative

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

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Juwon T. Arotiba, expressed the institution's readiness to participate in the initiative to explore mutually beneficial areas of collaboration while receiving the delegation on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, during a courtesy visit to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

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

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

The DVC, who noted that strategic partnerships are increasingly important in advancing research and addressing contemporary challenges, said the proposed collaboration in artificial intelligence and aerospace engineering was a timely development in view of the university's anticipated aeronautic engineering programme.

He encouraged JICA and its partner institutions to consider additional areas of collaboration, such as pharmaceutical and medical research, where UI also has wide expertise. He also 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 collaborations 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.

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

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