In-person delegations return as UUKi signs MoU with Nigerian counterpart and joins 22 UK universities for visit to India

Following a difficult period for international engagement opportunities, our colleagues, members and partners have once more been able to connect in person with international counterparts over the past few weeks.  

In May and June, UUKi has joined colleagues from UK universities, the British Council, Department for International Trade, and Department for Education in exploring collaboration opportunities between the UK and priority countries outlined in the UK Government’s International Education Strategy.  

Nigeria  

In May, during a delegation to Nigeria, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities. In the MoU, the organisations agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration, including in research and innovation, consultancy and leadership.  

Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, Secretary General, Committee of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities said:  

‘Globally, universities and stakeholders have had to put on creative thinking caps to constructively disrupt the current scheme of things in the bid to reposition our universities and get them to take leading roles in a 4th industrial revolution and a knowledge-driven society. This partnership with UUKi is a positive step in the right direction. The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities will promote the partnership with UUKi in repositioning our challenged higher education system.’ 

During the visit, the British Council signed an MoU with the National Universities Commission (NUC) on TNE, to improve access to online education opportunities for Nigerian students.   

CEO of the British Council, Scott McDonald, said: 

“Through our regional Higher Education programme, “Innovation for African Universities (IAU)”, we have established UK-Nigeria grant funded partnerships worth £600,000, to support systemic change between 20 institutions and organisations.” 

The Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities reciprocated the visit in June, where the group visited the University of Cambridge, meeting with representatives of UK universities to discuss research collaboration and partnership opportunities. 

India  

From 6-10 June, UUKi supported a British Council led delegation to India, where representatives from 22 UK universities met with government officials and university leaders. During this visit, there was a large focus on the opportunities presented by India’s National Education Policy, including the possibilities for transnational education (TNE) partnerships. 

UUKi Director Vivienne Stern MBE outlined current strengths and opportunities between the UK and India in higher education during a speech at the India-UK Education Collaboration Workshop, organised by the British Council. 

During the visit, the University of East London signed an MoU with Delhi Sports University.  

Dr Paul M. Marshall, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Careers & Enterprise), University of East London said:

“We are absolutely delighted to be entering into this agreement with the Delhi Sports University (DSU) and to welcome them to our ever-expanding family of global partners. Our appetite for sporting endeavour reaches around the world and now encompasses DSU, creating a partnership that is particularly special for us because of our deep and important links to India that this agreement can only serve to strengthen.  We look forward to working with DSU to build an innovative and impactful partnership that will support athletes to reach their potential and help to realise the benefits of sports for the communities that our institutions serve.” 

Barbara Wickham OBE, Director India, British Council said:  

“Education and research cooperation is an important pillar of the India-UK bilateral relationship. Strengthening and diversifying links with India is a priority for the UK. In the post-pandemic world, international education systems are best placed to improve the quality of learning through TNE and be the force multipliers for research innovation that can address sustainable growth and global challenges. At the British Council, we always seek new opportunities to partner with India’s knowledge ambitions. With the NEP’s focus on international collaboration, the UK is looking to explore mutually beneficial partnerships that result in greater faculty and student exchange and enhance research excellence more than ever before.” 

Vivienne Stern MBE, Director, Universities UK International said: 

‘We are delighted to have been able to support our members with the chance to reconnect in person with our partners overseas throughout the past few weeks. The activities in Nigeria and India allowed us to refocus our priorities and identify the greatest opportunities for collaboration with these two priority countries for the UK’s International Education Strategy. We look forward to our upcoming schedule of international engagement opportunities.’