UNIZIK Strengthens Global Academic Partnerships, Signs MoU with Kigali Independent University, Rwanda

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kigali Independent University (ULK), Rwanda, as part of efforts to expand its international collaborations and promote academic excellence.

The agreement establishes a strategic framework for cooperation between the two institutions in teaching, research, innovation, and staff and student development. Drafted in April 2026, the MoU covers key disciplines, including:

• STEM
• Education
• Humanities
• Management
• Social Sciences

According to the agreement, the partnership will promote academic, scientific and cultural cooperation through several initiatives, including:

• Joint conferences, seminars, workshops, exhibitions and symposia
• Short professional courses in areas of mutual interest
• Exchange of scholarly publications and scientific information
• Joint authorship of research publications
• Curriculum development
• Collaborative research projects
• Joint teaching activities
• Cultural exchange programmes
• Staff development initiatives
• Exchange of academic and administrative personnel
• Undergraduate and postgraduate student exchange programmes
• Joint supervision of Master's and PhD research
• Periodic meetings to review progress and identify new opportunities for collaboration

To ensure effective implementation, each university will appoint a designated MoU Coordinator to oversee the execution of agreed activities. The agreement also protects intellectual property rights arising from joint research and innovation, allows both institutions to seek internal and external funding for collaborative projects, and will remain in force for an initial period of five years, subject to renewal by mutual consent.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed virtually by the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, alongside the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Alex Asigbo; the Registrar, Dr Chinenye Gloria Okeke; the University Librarian, Professor Jacinta Eze; and the Director of International Collaboration and Linkages, Professor Charles Nwadigwe.

During the signing ceremony, Professor Anyaehie highlighted UNIZIK's academic programmes, campuses and affiliate institutions, expressing confidence that the partnership would be mutually beneficial and contribute to expanding knowledge, research and collaboration across Africa.

The Vice-Chancellor of Kigali Independent University, Professor Martins Onyekwelu Onuorah, signed the agreement on behalf of the Rwandan institution.

UNIZIK said the agreement marks another milestone in its internationalisation agenda and reinforces the university's commitment to building strategic global partnerships that enhance teaching, research, innovation, capacity building and international academic mobility for staff and students.