The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration of the University of Ibadan, Professor Peter O. Olapegba, FNPA, fspsp, C.Psych, has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening its collaboration with Kabarak University, saying that partnerships remain vital for institutional growth and global relevance.

He made this statement on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, while receiving Professor Mellitus Nyongesa Wanyama from Kabarak University, Kenya during a courtesy visit to the Office of the Vice-Chancellor.

Professor Olapegba appreciated Kabarak University for sustaining its collaboration with the University of Ibadan and reiterated that strategic partnerships remain central to the mission of the University, stressing that universities cannot thrive in isolation.

He expressed delight that the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions which is expected to cover areas such as research, staff and student exchange, exchange of academic materials and information, transfer of academic credits for students, development of joint degree programmes, and organisation of conferences in the Faculty of Arts is now being extended to the Faculties of Education and Law.

The DVC assured the delegation of the unwavering commitment of UI to the MoU, emphasizing the university's readiness to expand the collaboration until there is no border between the two institutions.

Professor Olapegba appreciated Professor Oluyemisi Bamgbose (SAN), the immediate past UI Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, who is on sabbatical leave at Kabarak University for representing the University of Ibadan brilliantly, describing her as a worthy ambassador.

He lauded her unquenchable quest for academic advancement, zeal and energy which according to him are responsible for the successes she has recorded so far at Kabarak University through cross-fertilization of ideas.

The Head, Department of Music, University of Ibadan, Dr T. O. Owoaje explained that the collaboration between UI and Kabarak University is rooted in an existing Memorandum of Understanding covering Departments of Music, Theatre Arts, and Communication and Language Arts.

He noted that both universities have sustained academic engagement through joint seminars and conferences, particularly in collaboration with Kabarak University’s Department of Music, adding that the partnership has yielded positive academic outcomes.

He cited the example of a first-class graduate of Music from UI who is currently pursuing a PhD degree at Kabarak University on scholarship and disclosed that based on progress reports, the student is performing well.

Dr Owoaje further disclosed that Professor Wanyama had been scheduled to delivered a paper at a conference of Music Composers holding at The Polytechnic, Ibadan during his visit.

Professor Mellitus Nyongesa Wanyama said the visit which was his third to the University of Ibadan was purposed to give updates to the UI management and have physical interaction with stakeholders who are driving the collaboration.

He disclosed that the cross institutional collaboration has been successful and plans were afoot to further enrich the Memorandum of Understanding and expand the collaboration to accommodate more faculties in the University of Ibadan.

Professor Wanyama noted that the MoU would serve as a model for other institutional partnerships across Africa, emphasizing that its effectiveness demonstrates the kind of collaboration needed to strengthen academic exchange in Africa.