UI Vice-Chancellor Advocates Cross-Border Collaboration to Solve Global Challenges

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. K. O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, has advocated that research should no longer be in silos, but should be collaborative.

Prof. Adebowale stated this while receiving a scholar from the University of Calgary, Canada, Prof. Bukola Salami on a courtesy visit. Prof Salami is a distinguished scholar with notable contributions in Nursing, health equity, migration health and global health research.

Her visit to the University of Ibadan is aimed at fostering academic collaboration, research engagement, mentorship and knowledge exchange with members of the University community, particularly within the Faculty of Nursing.

Speaking during the visit, Prof. Adebowale reiterated the need for researchers to stop conducting research in silos, but make it more collaborative. He stated that this has become necessary because real world problems of today, including climate change, food security, pandemics and insecurity among others, cut across disciplines and geographic zones, and requires bringing the right mix of expertise to the table.

He appreciated Prof. Salami for her efforts towards furthering collaborations between the University of Calgary and University of Ibadan, expressing the support of the University in ensuring the collaboration succeeds and endures. He also noted that the collaboration could expand beyond the Faculty of Nursing to others within the University, thereby promoting multi-disciplinary research, as well as student/faculty exchange.

Speaking prior to the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Salami stated that though her collaborations with the University of Ibadan started when she visited about ten years ago, her current visit is in furtherance of the partnership that was established back then.

Noting that the two Institutions are potentially and strategically positioned as leaders, given their pedigree, particularly in the areas of emphasis of the partnership, Prof Salami expressed great optimism for a very impactful and rewarding collaboration and a willingness to expand into areas of collaborations.  

She expressed delight at the changes she has observed since her arrival, stating they provide a very conducive environment for the partnerships to thrive.

With Prof. Salami were the Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, Prof. Prisca Adejumo, and other stakeholders from the Faculty of Nursing.