The Association of African Universities AAU says Nigeria remains a strategic country that the Association needs to work with to realise its continental initiatives.
The AAU which is concerned about the growth of higher institutions on the African continent said partnership with Nigeria’s Committee of Vice Chancellors would provide adequate network for the association and enrich its relationships with members.
The Secretary General of the AAU, Professor Olusola Oyewole said this in Abuja during a courtesy call of the Association on the Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, CVCNU.
Professor Oyewole who explained further said :“Africa has the largest number of Universities in the world and this cuts across the countries and a sit is Nigeria. With the highest numbers of these universities, the AAU have common membership with the CVCNU. It will be glad to collaborate with the committee of vice chancellors.This is why we have come to seek your support as CVC to assist the AAU serve her members better.”
“The AAU is concerned about the development of higher institution on the African continent and other groups in the higher education system such as Registrars, Bursars, Librarians and others. The activities of AAU are not only directed to Vice Chancellors” the AAU Secretary General stated.
Speaking on areas of Partnership, Professor Oyewole said the AAU as an organ of the African Union Commission would take pride in working with Nigeria.
Internet Infrastructure
AAU Director of ICT Services, Communications and Knowledge Management, Nodumo Dhlamini identified the need to support Nigeria Research Education Network NGREN, by learning from Kenya, South Africa Uganda other countries in North Africa.
He said learning from them would improve internet infrastructure for the improvement of educational services in the country.
She called for the restructuring of the management of the NGREN, stressing that Nigeria needed to look beyond personalising the leadership of the facility.
According to Dhlamini, “We discovered that when KNET was set up in Kenya ,the ownership was taken over by vice chancellors ,they appointed the officers that are there but the reverse is what is happening in Nigeria, when Vice chancellors take over the NGREN it will be more effective.”
“NGREN must be able to provide adequate internet facility for the Nigerian university system free from needless tax and meet the needs of the students as well,” he said.
He adds that without personalising who has been running the NGREN over the years, the move to appoint a CEO for NGREN should not breed any negative feelings.
Lateefah Ibrahim