UI, Université Paris-Cité Deepen Ties to Advance Global Research Collaboration – VC

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan (UI), Professor K.O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, has reaffirmed the University’s commitment to deepening international partnerships, describing collaborations as vital to driving impactful research and innovation across disciplines.

Professor Adebowale made this known while receiving a delegation from Université Paris-Cité, France, led by its Vice-President in charge of International Affairs, Professor Antoine Kouchner, and the Director of the International Relations Office, Dr. Jannot Nadege, during a courtesy visit to UI.

He noted that the University of Ibadan remains a research-intensive institution with a strategic vision of becoming a full postgraduate university focused on advancing continental development through research. He further emphasized the importance of language in fostering international cooperation and encouraged members of the University community to embrace opportunities to learn French to enhance collaboration and communication in future engagements.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the visit provides both universities with a valuable opportunity to identify and develop joint initiatives in research, capacity building, and student exchange programmes. He expressed UI’s readiness to formalize the collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will serve as a framework for long-term partnership in key fields such as health sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.

Professor Adebowale highlighted that UI and Université Paris-Cité share common values as comprehensive, research-driven institutions. He added that strengthening their partnership through structured engagements would further promote knowledge exchange and groundbreaking research output.

In his remarks, Professor Antoine Kouchner stated that Université Paris-Cité is keen on establishing stronger ties with African universities—especially English-speaking ones—to promote cross-cultural learning and reduce language barriers. He noted that both universities are active members of international academic networks such as the U7+ Alliance and the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), which provide robust platforms for sustained collaboration.

He assured that Université Paris-Cité is open to partnerships across diverse academic disciplines, with particular interest in faculty mobility, student exchanges, and collaborative research projects. Professor Kouchner added that his institution would share a draft MoU with UI for review and formalization to solidify the partnership.