ABU Assumes Presidency Of Online Education Institute

Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria in Kaduna State has assumed the rotating presidency unit of the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) for 2024.

Already, the vice chancellor, Prof Kabiru Bala, has accepted the challenge and pledged to do his best to move the institute forward during the period.

With its assumption of the office, ABU is expected to collaborate with UNESCO-ICHEI and IIOE secretariat by providing strategic guidance and support for the development of IIOE and digital transformation of higher education in various regions.

ABU’s selection as the 2024 IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit was announced during the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) Global Partners Summit held at Shenzhen, China from December 7 to December 9, 2023. The institution now takes over from University Putra Malaysia (UPM) as the IIOE rotating presidency unit for the year 2024.

The IIOE presidency plays a crucial role in the governance structure of IIOE and it has been in place since its inception in 2019, rotating annually among partner universities in different regions.

Since the launch of IIOE in 2019, four IIOE partner universities have successfully served as the rotating presidency unit.

These institutions are Ain Shams University, Egypt (2020); University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan (2021); University of Nairobi, Kenya (2022); and Universiti Putra Malaysia (2023).

In his acceptance speech, Prof Bala said that ABU was greatly honoured to be offered the opportunity to serve as the IIOE Rotating Presidency Unit for the year 2024.

“It is indeed humbling that you have found Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and myself worthy of undertaking this responsibility.

“We have accepted this challenge with all sense of responsibility and pledge to do our utmost best to move the IIOE forward in 2024. We will also strive to onboard more HEIs on the ever-growing IIOE network,” he said.