On February 17, an eight-member team from the Adamawa State University, Mubi, visited AUN.
The delegation had the new Vice-Chancellor, Prof (Mrs.) Kaletapwa Farauta, Registrar Yahaya Boiboi, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Haruna Shehu among other university officials. The Yola Liaison Officer, Sunday Kefas Kwala, was also in the team.
"We felt we should be doing more together as universities located in Adamawa State," said the VC, recalling that another team had visited AUN in April 2018. Then there was a very extensive discussion with AUN's ICT department.
"We have a lot to benefit from AUN as a state university. Your doors are open already, but we want them wider so that we can come in and benefit in different aspects."
Prof. Farauta said their purpose of the second visit was to continue the discussion on collaboration in the area of ICT.
"We are in an area where the insurgency has affected networking communication and so many other things. As an institution of higher learning, we know that we will not make a lot of progress without having our IT & communication sorted out."
She noted that her university's mission aligned with that of AUN in producing responsible citizens who will contribute to the development of Nigeria.
President Dekle said she is thrilled that just like in AUN, a woman leads the Mubi institution at this time.
"It also tells me that Adamawa is very progressive. With two women Vice-Chancellors in Adamawa, [the state] is going to lead other states on many things that we are going to do."
The visit is one of a special significance...one that is going to deepen the relationship between the two universities.
"And it will set the course so we can go deeper and wider and much farther into the state in many things we can do. I'm thrilled that you are visiting within the first few days of your new chancellorship.
The delegation also met with the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost, Prof. Muhammadou Kah who assured them that the best of collaboration is to have their staff (both administrative and academic) benefiting from the huge resources and quality that exist in AUN.
"I can say that the collaboration has begun…We are happy we work together, we ought to be able to find the resources to enable an increase of faculty, for example, to have terminal degrees here."
Prof. Kah told the delegation that they can have the deans of their various schools encourage the lecturers who do not yet have a Ph.D. to consider AUN as a destination for their doctoral degree and those who have their Bachelor's degree for their Master's.
"The easiest and best way to build the IT infrastructure is to build human resources because that is usually the challenge. If you can take the promising ones and send them here, as administrative or academic staff members pursuing Master's or Ph.D., they are open to the ecosystem of the IT infrastructure."
He stated that this approach was one that could guarantee them a connection to the diverse campus of AUN.
"The way we engage in learning, which is a bit different, they will be exposed to best practices, they will be exposed to colleagues from more than 40 or 45 countries."
Reported by Omorogbe Omorogiuwa