The Yobe State government has initiated a partnership with Mohammed VI University, Ben Guerir, Morocco, to secure sabbatical and school exchange programmes for staff and students from the state.
A statement issued by the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed said the proposal for the partnership was initiated by the state delegation led by the Secretary to the Yobe State Government Alhaji Baba Mallam Wali during a visit to the university last week.
The corporate Communications Director of the University, Lamia Idbilti, said the institution is currently running 160 partnership programmes and would be glad to add Yobe state.
She explained that the university offers staff and students’ direct sponsorships and exchange programmes for first degrees, Masters and Doctorate programmes.
Lamia added that the prospective beneficiaries have opportunities to study agriculture, Medical Sciences, Computer Engineering, Architecture, Green technology, Humanity and Hospitality among others.
The Director said the partnership would also benefit the state in Science Energy and Nano Engineering to develop green energy.
“As a developing economy, Yobe State has to start investing in this regard because it is the issue of the moment that needs proactive measures.”
Wali and head of the delegation, while speaking, said the Yobe state government would explore the opportunity to support staff of higher institutions in the state to enjoy sabbatical programmes in the University.
“Government would strive to meet the required conditions for our lecturers to go on sabbatical and for the students to enjoy the exchange and sponsorship programmes,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Mohammed Bello Kawuwa, described the partnership as an excellent opportunity for capacity building of staff and students from Yobe.
“These are mostly entrepreneurial courses that are marketable with Prospects for direct employment generation and wealth Creation,” Prof. Kawuwa said.
Alh. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara- Gombe, Chief Executive Officer of the consulting firm, African Network Center, said the firm was moving ahead of time to complete the partnership procedures.
“We have no time to waste, we are moving fast to solidify the dialogue to set the partnership in motion.
“It is the ambition of all parties to see that this partnership materialises in earnest to secure the admission for both the staff and students to commence the programmes,” Ahmed said.
