University of Ibadan Deepens Academic Ties with Kabarak University

The University of Ibadan (UI) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening academic collaboration with Kabarak University, Kenya, as part of efforts to enhance institutional growth and global competitiveness.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Peter Olapegba, made this known while receiving Prof. Mellitus Nyongesa Wanyama of Kabarak University during a courtesy visit to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor. He spoke on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kayode Adebowale.

Prof. Olapegba commended Kabarak University for sustaining its partnership with UI, emphasising that strategic collaborations remain central to the university’s mission. He noted that no institution can thrive in isolation, adding that partnerships are critical to achieving academic excellence and global relevance.

He expressed satisfaction with the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions, which covers areas such as research, staff and student exchange, academic resource sharing, credit transfer, joint degree programmes, and conference organisation. He disclosed that the agreement, initially focused on the Faculty of Arts, is now being extended to include the Faculties of Education and Law.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed UI’s commitment to the agreement, stating that the university is prepared to expand the collaboration to deepen integration between both institutions.

He also commended Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships), currently on sabbatical at Kabarak University, for representing UI with distinction. He described her as a worthy ambassador whose dedication and drive have contributed significantly to the success of the partnership through knowledge exchange and academic engagement.

Providing further insight, the Head of the Department of Music, UI, Dr. T. O. Owoaje, said the collaboration is anchored on an existing Memorandum of Understanding involving the Departments of Music, Theatre Arts, and Communication and Language Arts. He noted that both institutions have maintained active engagement through joint seminars and conferences, particularly within the field of music.

Dr. Owoaje highlighted the academic impact of the partnership, citing the case of a first-class graduate of Music from UI currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Kabarak University on scholarship, with positive progress reported.

He added that Prof. Wanyama was also scheduled to present a paper at a conference of music composers held at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, during his visit.

In his remarks, Prof. Wanyama described the visit—his third to UI—as an opportunity to provide updates to the university’s management and engage directly with stakeholders driving the collaboration. He noted that the partnership has recorded significant success and disclosed plans to further expand the scope of the Memorandum of Understanding to include more faculties.

He expressed confidence that the collaboration would serve as a model for institutional partnerships across Africa, demonstrating the potential of inter-university cooperation in advancing academic exchange and development on the continent.