ABU, University Of Edinburgh To Research Out-Of-School Children In Nigeria, Others

The Distance Learning Centre, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has reached an agreement with the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom to jointly research out-of-school children in Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania.

The two universities have also agreed to work together to access a range of grants and funds to support teaching, research and community development services, through a collective effort towards accessing support from key sponsors such as Google Outreach Grant, Mastercard Foundation (MF), and the British Council.

According to a statement by Auwalu Umar, ABU’s Public Affairs Director, on Wednesday, the two universities have also consented to conduct joint research and publications using the influence of ABU's Distance Learning Centre databases.

"All these are the outcome of a high-level meeting held recently in London at which officials of ABU Distance Learning Centre and those of the University of Edinburgh identified a number of areas for collaborations, partnerships, and support,” the statement read

It added: “Other areas identified included a conference on digital education which UoE and ABU-DLC have agreed, in principle, to jointly organize. Additionally, some leading experts in digital education from the University of Edinburgh have offered to be e-tutors for ABU Distance Learning Centre.

"Under the partnerships, for example, UoE’s Centre for Research in Digital Education has agreed to organize a training workshop for ABU-DLC e-tutors, staff and other stakeholders on pedagogy in digital education.”

The statement further explained that Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Kabiru Bala, described as a " huge success" the London meeting, appreciating the University of Edinburgh for its enthusiasm to work together with Ahmadu Bello University Distance Learning Centre.

The VC reiterated the commitment of ABU Distance Learning Centre to work with Excel Centres, local radio stations and other strategic partners in the United Kingdom to increase the visibility of the University and the Centre in particular. 

The statement quoted Prof. Bala, to have expressed ABU’s huge appreciation to the Programme Director, Centre for Research in Digital Education, University of Edinburgh, Dr Michael Gallagher; UoE’s Head of Global Partnership, Dr Derek MCLeod; and Co-Director, Global Health Academy, UoE, Prof. Fransisca Mutapi, for the success of the meeting.

The efforts of the Senior Lecturer in African Studies and International Development, UoE, Dr Jean-Benoit Falisse, and Lead, Out-of-School Youth Research Project in Nigeria, Pakistan and Tanzania, and Dr William Smith were also acknowledged by the Vice-Chancellor.